PLAINFIELD, IN – The Town of Plainfield hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for Talon Stream Park on Friday, October 12th at 11 a.m. The Talon Stream Park Master Project began in 2008, after the Town of Plainfield recognized a need to redevelop the Shouse Landfill, also known as the Shouse Dump. A 10-year project partially funded by the Indiana Brownfields Program Grant of $400,000 has now concluded with the placement of shade structures and park benches.
“When we started this project, I thought this would be a neat attribute for the town considering we thrive on our parks and trails system. It was a plan to bring another amenity to the Plainfield Parks Department, but it turned into something greater than I ever imagined!” said Town Council President, Robin Brandgard. “Being able to take something that was somewhat of a detriment and going through the process of reclaiming it as a park for the citizens took a lot of forethought and I am proud of all of those involved.”
Located just north of the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation and Aquatic Center and adjacent to White Lick Creek, an important waterway in Plainfield, the Shouse property was not only an eye sore but a liability to the environment. The large field had become an unrestricted dumping ground for all kinds of trash and chemicals. By working with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the banks were re-enforced, hazardous materials cleared, the dumpsite was capped, and topsoil was hauled to the site to make it environmentally safe to be used for a park. Talon Stream Park includes a trail, a shelter house, and restful, shaded areas with spectacular views of White Lick Creek.
“This was such a remarkable project for our community, turning something that seemed to be useable land into an incredible park. It says a lot about the staff, council and partners we had on this plan,” said Director of Plainfield Parks and Recreation, Clay Chafin. “We look forward to the future use of this park and thank those who had the vision to turn this into a grand amenity.”
