Historical DeFries home to be renovated by Elkhart County Parks Department

Nov. 12—GOSHEN — Historical homes on the south end of Elkhart County will be undergoing renovations through the Elkhart County Parks Department.

Elkhart County Commissioners approved several grants and projects during Tuesday meeting to support the initiatives.

A grant from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County for $100,000 was approved by commissioners to help renovate the DeFries Homestead at DeFries Gardens of the Elkhart County Parks Department.

The homestead, built in 1881, was donated along with the 14 acres of property that became the county park back in 1996 by Beth DeFries (1921-2006).

"It was Beth's final wishes to open that space to the public so that it was rental space or programmatic space," Elkhart County Parks Director Ronda DeCaire said. DeFries died in 2016. "We've been slowly over the past 10 years, saving money from the indebtment that she left for that site, and we are moving far with getting that open to the public."

The home, which used to house a caretaker, has been vacant for about a decade, DeCaire told commissioners.

Commissioners also approved a request from the parks department to for a READI grant of $100,000 to go toward the homestead renovation project.

Another 19th-century home will also undergo renovations by the parks department.

DeCaire explained that recently they were offered the 1834 log cabin currently in Waterford. The cabin would be torn down and reinstalled on another property. DeCaire said DeFries had also mentioned moving the cabin to the DeFries land when she was alive, but it's not yet decided if it will go to the New Paris-based park or somewhere else.

Commissioners approved DeCaire's request to apply for a Mishler Brown Fund grant to move and restore the cabin, a project that could cost around $100,000, and they were approved for a $5,000 unsolicited grant from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County.

DeCaire also took a moment to explain that the Parks Department is a nonprofit with tax-deductible donation status. They also have an endowment through the Community Foundation of Elkhart County called the Elkhart County Parks Legacy Fund, designed to build for the future of the parks.

OTHER BOARD ITEMS

—Commissioners awarded the bid for a new inmate transport vehicle to High-Level Enterprises. Last week commissioners received proposals from Midwest Transport Equipment and High Level Enterprise.

—Commissioners approved a request from the planning department to apply for the Sowing Enriched and Enhanced Datasets (SEED) Grant. Elkhart County Planning & Development Director Mae Kratzer said the grant, anywhere between $5,000 and $30,000, would cover improvements to GIS data.

—Commissioners approved the annual contract with Ashers for lawn care and snow removal. The cost of the contract has not changed from the previous year.

—The kitchen floor at the jail will be replaced in the near future. On Tuesday, commissioners approved issuance of the request for proposals for the new flooring, which is anticipated to be tile or seamless. The floor has not been changed since the building was constructed, although some portions of it had been repaired in the past.

—A grant to support perinatal health services was approved by commissioners on Tuesday. The Beacon Health Systems program, Healthy Start Initiative, would provide up around $50,000 to support maternal health services as part of continued countywide efforts.

—The second half of Horizon Place in Jackson Township was approved by commissioners for the highway department. The area of Krista Drive, Matthew Drive, and Michael Lane, the second section of Horizon Place, is off U.S. 6 between C.R. 19 and C.R. 21 after turning onto Adam Street, not far from Elkhart County Gravel Truck Shop.

—Commissioners also approved the final acceptance of Winding Rivers Estates' fourth phase, on the west side of C.R. 37 north of C.R. 10. It includes Sunfish Drive and Moonfish Court in York Township.