CUTLINES: Landscape architect Craig Ritland and Samantha Price of Trees Forever point out the positives of adding the trail to Silver Springs and around the golf course for residents at the Visioning Committee workshop on Wednesday. (Becky Walz photo)

Preliminary designs presented for Ossian 

Becky Walz
News Editor

Only a handful of Ossian residents turned out Wednesday evening to see what the staff of Trees Forever presented on behalf of the Ossian Visioning Committee.

The four staff members began several months ago collecting input for Ossian residents on what improvements they would like to see in the community and began to focus on the four areas selected last month: Carey’s Park, downtown streetscape, a sidewalk and trail plan, and park enhancements at Silver Springs Park.

One of the main focuses of Carey’s Park was the implementation of a band shell or covered stage area with a natural amphitheater area for lawn chairs and a 50’x25’ concrete slab for a dance floor.

Additional trees on the perimeter of the park would add shade and screen the view of the co-op and neighbors adjacent to the park.

The Trees Forever staff also added a photo of what the proposed LED sign located would look like at the corner of Carey’s Park. The sign is a project that Lucas Brincks is undertaking to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Softening the landscape of downtown Ossian, trees would be planted in front of business with streetlights intermingled.

The possibility of adding bump-outs to the streetscape was discussed. The wide width of Highway 52 through town requires pedestrians to cross between traffic, and the bump-outs would allow visitors a safer crossing.

A conceptual clock tower, proposed by Logan Brincks as his Eagle Scount project, on the sidewalk in front of Security State Bank was incorporated into the proposed streetscape plans for the public to get an idea of what the final project would look like.

In an attempt to limit pedestrian interaction on Jessie Street, the group met with the Winneshiek County Engineer to check the feasibility of incorporating a sidewalk/trail to Silver Springs Park.

A 10-foot sidewalk and trail are planned on the east side of the street for walking and bicycling. The trail would run parallel to the street all the way to Silver Springs Park, enter the park and wrap around Silver Springs Golf Course and Country Club, and reconnect on Jessie Street.

“This would be a good alternative to people walking along the road,” said Trees Forever intern Jake Wilson. “It would give the public a complete safe route to Silver Springs Park.”

Ossian resident Tom Bushman asked, “Is there any concern with hole no. 9 fairway and anyone getting hit by golf balls while walking along the trail?” 

Joking, Price said, “The golfers can no longer slice that much. And there are some trees along the boundary.”

The larger 10-foot width would open the door for the city to qualify for grant money.

At Silver Springs Park, a shelter would be erected to allow visitors to picnic and enjoy a break from walking, biking, or fishing in the ponds.

The Visioning Committee will hold another workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at the Ossian Community Center.