Dirt Bikers Damage Round Barn Park

Manhattan Park District Executive Director Jay Kelly reported that kids riding dirt bikes have damaged Round Barn Farm property.

“We still are having significant problems out at Round Barn Farm, with people using the park as a BMX or motocross park. On the berms, all over the park,” Kelly said. 

Kelly spoke with the Manhattan Police, which was willing to increase patrols and has done so; however, it has been a challenge to catch the riders in the act.

Board members remarked they had spotted those riding the dirt bikes throughout town, down the sidewalks to McDonald’s, at Central Park, and within White Feather.

“Are they just riding, or are they trashing stuff?” Joe Farkas inquired.

Kelly explained that the berms, which had previously been seeded, were damaged, and the bikers were building ramps in the dirt. Kelly also said they would taunt employees, letting them get close but then riding away before their behavior could be addressed.

The board discussed deterrents, especially as improvements have begun and will continue at the park.

Initial preparations for the Round Barn renovations are underway, with a construction fence surrounding the barn. A formal groundbreaking ceremony for Round Barn Farm renovations will be held on April 15.

A walking path was installed from the Baker Pavilion to a future parking lot, and prep work has begun on a future building in the park. Interpretative signs have been installed. The Round Barn Farm’s quilt sign was removed and stored for preservation during construction.

Another major topic of discussion occurred with the news that a land broker had contacted the park district with an interest in buying the 80-acre property on Smith Road. The board weighed the potential benefits but ultimately decided it would not be worth selling, especially for the initial proposed price of $15,000 per acre, because the property was purchased when real estate was inexpensive. 

From there, the board discussed the advantages of a solar development utilizing some of the unused property. One developer proposed having a three-year option to buy the property at $1,000 per year. However, there is currently no electricity to the site, which would cost upwards of $750,000 to establish, and the $1,000 would not be worth tying up the property as an option.

“I think the solar option is a good option for the use of the land compared to a farm lease, but not with that option,” Kelly explained, noting rental prices for solar developments are high.

“We’ll never get that much land for that cheap again,” Treasurer Joe Farkas added.

Kelly also advised that it would limit the district’s ability to expand to add more ball fields or soccer fields as needed.

“I don’t think we need to sell it – I just love to explore ideas to see what we could do with it to make some revenue,” Commissioner Ed Ludwig offered.

Ultimately, the board agreed and felt selling the land to the broker would not benefit the district unless the broker were to come back with an exorbitant amount. The board also felt solar would not be a good use for the land unless it could generate revenue on a faster timeline rather than options that didn’t provide guarantees.

Updates to the Hanson Community Center’s courtyard project are underway. The new area behind the building will include a patio area for parents and a pollinator garden for children to play in.

The start times of the park district’s before- and after-school program, “The Den,” could shift due to the Manhattan School District’s changes to the start and dismissal times for the upcoming school year. The park district intends to send a survey to parents using the program to determine if their needs will change.

Construction is underway for the dog park, which is anticipated to open in July. The district is working on creating ordinances and rules for the park. 

The board reviewed pictures of an automated striping machine, which would provide perfect striping lines and be capable of striping other things, like parking lots. The equipment would require a three-year contract and be subscription-based so the technology could be updated; however, Kelly advised that although it was an incredible tool, it was not something the district needed at this time.

Kelly reviewed the proposed budget. Because the park district operates on a cash basis, the proposed budget could not be finalized until after April 30. Kelly extensively reviewed the budget, explaining how the numbers came to fruition and the reasoning behind expenditures. Once the numbers have been finalized in May, a formal budget hearing will be held. 

Additionally, Kelly explained because the new bond payments will begin for the Round Barn Farm renovations, they are being conservative with expenditures outside of what is necessary. 

The park district received the Governor’s Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Accounting.

The district will soon roll out a registration app, as its usability is better than the website’s. Kelly remarked that the entrance to the dog park will include a QR scan from the app, which the district hopes will encourage people to use it. 

Commissioner-elect Nick Goodwin, who will be joining the park district board in May, was present to introduce himself to the rest of the board and staff present for the meeting. Goodwin is a lifelong resident and is excited to serve the community.

Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.