Troy City Council approved the purchase of the Huelskamp Farm for $1.5 million in August from Paul and Jill Huelskamp. The sale of bond anticipation notes for the purchase was expected to be offset by grants and potential sale of part of the property, said Patrick Titterington, service and safety director.
Since then, the city announced the commitment of grants from both the Paul G. Duke Foundation and the Robinson Fund. The grants are for $300,000 each. The sale of property is expected to involve 38 acres abutting the Great Miami River to the Miami County Park District.
The park district will request a grant, also for around $300,000, from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund this fall. Scott Myers, park district executive director, said he thinks the grant application will have “a great chance” of being funded.
The park district would convert the land into conservation land for use as river/water protection.
Myers said the county park district has been involved in discussion about possible farm purchase from the start.
“We believe it is a great partnership with the City of Troy, Troy Junior Baseball and the Park District that will greatly impact the quality of life in our community,” he said.
Funding sources would need to be identified for developing the park elements.
Also interested in fields in the expanded park is the new Miracle League of the Miami Valley and Troy Junior Baseball.
The Miracle League baseball field would be a rubberized surface facility for use by children and adults with disabilities, allowing them to experience the joys of the game in a supportive setting. The goal is not only for the special field but also an adjacent handicapped accessible playground to provide for a family environment at the complex.
Troy Junior Baseball’s games now are played at the Knoop Complex Fields at Eldean Road and County Road 25A, also near the river.
“With the continued challenges at our current facility due to the flooding, we are looking forward to having a high quality complex for our kids to play,” Brandy Joins, junior baseball’s president, said. “This is a great opportunity for the baseball community.”
About the Author