Wells County Area Plan Commission approves Ossian plan for amphitheater and pavilion in 28-acre park

By David Schultz for the Bluffton News-Banner | Indiana Economic Digest

The plans for the construction of an amphitheater and pavilion in Ossian have advanced after the Wells County Area Plan Commission approved the development plan for the project.

The nine APC members present at last week’s meeting all voted to approve the town’s request for the structure. Included in the development plan were a playground that is compliant with Americans With Disabilities Act standards and additional parking.

The plans are for an upgrade of the 28-acre Archbold Wilson Park, which is off of Wells County Road 900N between Jefferson Street/Ind. 1 and Little River Trace in Ossian.

The property is zoned R-1 (residential).

Michael Lautzenheiser, the APC’s executive director, said the only condition the panel placed on the development was that any adjustments in the final grading of the area had to be approved by staff members of the APC office and the surveyor’s office.

“This is another hurdle overcome toward making this project a reality,” Lautzenheiser said.

According to the paperwork filed with the development plan review, the project includes areas for concessions and a sound system, a large-scale chess and checkers board, additional benches and picnic tables, and a prairie naturea area for learning.

In a letter accompanying the filing, Ossian Town Manager Luann Martin noted that the utilities are in compliance with town standards and that all sidewalks and trail extensions will meet ADA standards.