Center Twp. Trustee cuts the ribbon on new playground, parking amenities

This article is brought to you by 2nd Shift Sewer & Plumbing, Heating & Air®. 2nd Shift Sewer & Plumbing® is the leading provider of plumbing services in Howard County and the surrounding areas. With more than 30 years of experience, their knowledgeable and licensed technicians have the expertise to fix any plumbing or sewer problem you may have. 

A group of business and government leaders stood atop the hill that dominates the east side of Somers Park and looked upon a greenspace that was barely recognizable to those who knew the park well.

Gone were the small and outdated playgrounds. And the observers noted that for the first time ever, they didn’t have to hike any distance to reach the park. It was a new experience that the Center Township Trustee’s office was proud to show off, and they did so with a ribbon-cutting and ceremony, facilitated by the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 4.

“It took us a couple years to get it done,” said Center Township Trustee Andrew Durham.

Durham explained that the park improvement project started with his predecessor in the trustee’s office, Rev. Robert A. Lee. The City of Kokomo transferred ownership of the park to the trustee in 2021, and it was readily apparent that there was an opportunity to enhance the amenities.

“We came down here and looked at it, and we saw that the equipment wasn't necessarily outdated, but it needed some attention,” said Durham. “We wanted to do something for Kokomo. Obviously, we don't do parks like the City of Kokomo does, but with one park, we could put a little bit of TLC in it, some love and some attention, and try to get kids and adults down here to enjoy the space.”

Getting the project funded was a challenge for the trustee. Despite money being set aside for the project, and a tax levy specifically devoted to park maintenance, which every trustee’s office has statewide, the board of trustees – fully Republican led – slow-walked the process and insisted on minimal investment.

Despite the resistance, the board eventually relented and saw the value of the upgrade. And Somers Park, indeed, has been improved. Importantly, it now has a parking lot, allowing access that wasn’t previously available.

The trustee also removed the two outdated playgrounds in the park and replaced them with a much-enlarged playground in the southern section and an “American Ninja”-style course in the northern section.

“It has been a long and stressful journey, but I am happy to take over the project and finish it,” said Durham.

The trustee, however, wanted to ensure that people remember Rev. Lee and his leadership in acquiring and improving Somers Park. A flowering tree was planted in the northeast part of the park, and an accompanying plaque commemorating Lee was installed next to it. Lee’s family attended the ribbon-cutting to remember their husband, father, and friend.

Somers Park is located at the corner of Jefferson and Delphos streets on the city’s east side. It was established in the city of Kokomo in 1920, following the donation of the land by Civil War veteran Orlando Somers. The city announced in 2020 its intention to transfer the park to the Center Township Trustee’s office.