The Ariel-Foundation Park Conservancy Board aims to transfer the operations and maintenance of the park's facility to the city next year, while retaining control over special programming such as the upcoming Ricky Skaggs concert.
"We're in negotiations for ironing all of those responsibilities out right now," said Conservancy Board member Mike Miller during the Mount Vernon City Council's June 9 meeting, according to a meeting video. "And those funds right now are all being negotiated, as far as for monies going back to the city to maintain that park, because there are two separate funds. There's a capital fund and then that maintenance fund, and that's what we're all working through right now."
According to the meeting video, Miller was invited to update the city council on park operations in its tenth year. He mentioned discussions with the mayor's office and the law director's office regarding the maintenance contract. City Council President Bruce Hawkins noted that initially, the plan was for the park board to provide $40,000 annually for park maintenance but decided to manage it temporarily before transferring it to the city. Miller explained that their ability to handle specialized tasks and creative summer staffing plans allows them to manage specialized programs effectively. The park board employs one person full-time and two part-time during summer, saving $20,000 from its $40,000 budget.
Miller said that in 2024, they plan to focus on ground care services by collaborating with TD Landscape of Fredericktown, SOS Tree Service of Mount Vernon, and the Mount Vernon Parks Department. A year earlier, they transferred 15 properties in Columbus Road in partnership with Knox Land Bank. The land bank partnered with Knox Habitat for Humanity to build 12 new homes on these properties.
Miller reported that between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors attended a solar eclipse event at the park in 2024. The Fourth of July celebration attracted approximately 8,000 people. Another initiative was the Servitus program honoring those who serve.
Miller also discussed preparations for a concert on June 21 featuring Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunderstruck. By Monday, nearly 800 tickets had been sold with hopes of reaching between 800 and 900 sales. Ticket prices range from $28 to $85. "If they have to get more chairs for the concert they will," he said.
