The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members considered a request to forego a drainage plan requirement for an upcoming Hoosier Old Wheels playground equipment project and a trail project in Centennial Park.
Plymouth Park Superintendent Michael Hite explained that the Park Department received a $500,000 Land and Water Conservation grant from the DNR to replace all of the Old Hoosier Wheels playground equipment. In addition, a half-mile trail will be constructed from the existing bridge on Becknell, runs along Becknell, turns on Randolph heading north past Hoosier Old Wheels pavilion and ending at Plymouth Goshen Trail.
The trail project is over 4,000 square feet of hard surface. According to a city ordinance, a drainage plan is required for a project over that amount. Hite asked for an exception in this project.
Mike Reese from The Troyer Group explained that a drainage plan would not be needed in this particular instance.
“It’s going to several different drainage areas and it’s following the existing sheet flow drainage slope of the areas,” commented Reese. “We’re not changing grades on the sides of the trail or trying to match the existing grade. It’ll be minimal impact on the way the sheet flow goes.”
On top of that, the inclusion of drainage or swales would be difficult as the landscaping is generally flat.
Reese noted that the new playground will feature rubber surfacing, similar to Freedom Park, which will have an underdrain which would drain to a rain garden. However, the exception is being sought for the trail and he does not believe there would be issues.
City Engineer Rick Gaul said the only issue is that the project is 25,000 square feet and he does not want to set a precedent where requests outside of a city project would be submitted for an exemption. Gaul said erosion could be a problem.
Reese did not think that erosion would be an issue.
The board members did approve the exemption as presented with a unanimous vote.
