North Vernon to develop campground near quarry

What started out to be a search for a backup water supply for the City of North Vernon ended up being what could be a recreation boon.

For years, the city attempted to acquire the quarry hole on 5th Street for a water supply, but the owners were never interested in selling it without selling all the land around it. That changed when the bypass was built, and the Indiana Department of Transportation acquired the quarry hole through condemnation and eminent domain. This would give the city a 300-day supply of water should the Muscatatuck River ever be contaminated by an accident on the bypass.

With the acquisition of the quarry hole by the city via INDOT, the owners said the rest of the property was “worthless,” so they decided to sell. In December 2015, the city purchased the rest of the property for approximately $500,000. The city now owns approximately 160 acres at the site.

According to Mayor Shawn Gerkin, he wondered what to do with the other 80 acres that weren’t included in the acquisition by INDOT should the city ever purchase it. Gerkin said he and (former city councilman) Trent Wisner always thought that a campground “would be cool.”

When READI (Readiness Evaluation, Assessment and Decision-Making Information) funding came about in 2021, the city was told to “dream big. Come up with a project that likely would never get done without a big financial windfall.” That prompted Gerkin to start pitching the campground idea to anyone who would listen. (READI is a $500 million program started by the governor to fund projects across regions in the state. The projects focus on quality of life, quality of place, and quality of opportunity to attract and retain top talent.)

As luck would have it, the Indiana Economic Development Commission and the state of Indiana agreed with Gerkin and council members, and the city was ultimately awarded over $2.2 million for the park, which will include a full, three-phase hookup campground. Along with the campground the plans will call for other amenities such as a playground, walking trails, biking, restrooms, a place for primitive camping, and an overlook off 4th Street.

READI required a 1-to-1 public match meaning that the city’s $2.2 million match is coming from the Redevelopment Commission.

Gerkin went on to say that his goal is to continue to do quality-of-life projects hoping that people will visit, or even move to, North Vernon. “I think the campground might give visitors a place to want to spend a three-day weekend here, whether to enjoy the camping, or perhaps spend some time at Tripton Park, enjoy our new pool, or stay there while their child is playing in a baseball tournament.”

Gerkin has signed a contract to get 30% of the construction documents completed and he’s hoping for a fall groundbreaking. City workers have already begun cleaning up around the entrance.

About the project, the mayor says he has been asked “why?” With all the advantages that could come with the project, it’s probably safe for Gerkin to answer, “why not?”