Founders Park Plan Gets Some Feedback from Public

At last Thursday’s Commissioners Court meeting, Fayette County Judge Joe Weber heard some support for the plan to install restrooms at Founders Park on the courthouse square in La Grange, but he took a little push back against his idea to also close-in the space and convert it into office space for future county offices of tourism and economic development.

La Grange area business owner Brandon Schielack addressed the Founders Park plans during the meeting’s public comment period.

“We need public bathrooms,” Schielack said. “But I just want to stress maybe looking into keeping the park open the way it is, and making the bathrooms nice, rather than an office.”

Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff said he received several calls from constituents concerned about the plans for offices.

“I heard the same kind of comments,” Berckenhoff said.

Berckenhoff said one constituent opposed the cost of building offices. He said that person thought the money would be better used on road repairs. Berckenhoff said the others were in favor of new restrooms and keeping the park open.

“My intent is not to destroy Founders Park,” Weber said. “I think we can do both, and we can do the restrooms. It’s important for Main Street, the City (of La Grange) and the County for people to be able to walk in there. I think there may be some opportunity to do some advertising there for county tourism. It’s not my intent to chop it up and make three offices in there. Let’s just wait and see what the architects tell us can be done. Then we’ll come back and talk about it.”

Commissioners also approved requests from La Grange Main Street and Schielack to use the courthouse lawn for events. On Thursday, Dec. 3, Main Street will host Schmeckenfest, the annual Christmas festival and wassail-tasting celebration on the courthouse square.

Schielack is helping to organize “Second Saturdays in La Grange,” a new monthly event on the Square. Set for 4-7 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month, Schielack said the events will give La Grange residents an opportunity to shop around the Square and eat out picnic-style on the courthouse lawn. The event will have music, games for kids and homemade items for sale from local vendors.

“The idea is to order out from one of the restaurants and sit down somewhere on the Square to eat,” Schielack said.

Schielack said increasing COVID numbers could bring renewed restrictions on dining in restaurants. The Second Saturday events could provide a venue for people to eat out safely.

Schielack also asked permission to use the courthouse loudspeakers. He said the speakers would be used to broadcast one of the local radio stations, KBUK or KTIM. Weber opposed allowing outside groups to use the loudspeakers, which are currently only used by the county to play Christmas music during the holiday season. However, Weber said he did not oppose groups setting up their own music to play on the Square at a reasonable volume.

Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff raised concerns about garbage and damage to the lawn. Schielack said organizers would be responsible for cleaning up after the event.

Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom asked Schielack to move the kids play area around to different parts of the lawn each month so that the grass doesn’t get worn in one spot.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Tom Muras said he supports the event.

“It’s the people’s property to use for these kinds of things,” Muras said.

Commissioners approved both requests unanimously. Later Commissioners discussed setting some policies for using the courthouse lawn.

Weber said the County has incurred expenses in the past after events in which people broke irrigation lines by driving posts or tent stakes into the lawn. One of the rules proposed would ban tents or temporary sign posts on the lawn. Instead, tents would have to be set up in the first line of parking spaces around the Square.

In addition, Commissioners discussed rules for keeping pets on leashes and picking up pet litter.

Weber said the policy should include an application form to be submitted by anyone wanting to use the lawn along with a deposit.

Commissioners instructed assistant county attorney Blake Watson to draft courthouse lawn policies to be considered at a later meeting.