January 30, 2004

Mike Grovak
Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates, Inc.
6200 Vogel Rd.
Evansville, IN 47715-4006

Greetings,

Review of the I-69 Evansville to Indianapolis, Indiana Tier 1 Final
Environmental Impact Statement & Section 4(f) Evaluation has raised a
question about a park property within the Study Corridor on
Bloomington’s west side.

The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department requests that
Wapehani Mt. Bike Park (2800 W. Wapehani Lane) be evaluated for possible
protection under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of
1966 for purposes of the I-69 Evansville to Indianapolis Study.

Wapehani is a 34 acre park, located immediately east of State Road 37 in
Bloomington, between Bloomfield and Tapp Roads, that provides biking and
hiking trails around Weimer Lake in a natural setting.  The park deed is
held by the City of Bloomington Utilities Department and has been
managed by Bloomington Parks and Recreation for mountain bicycling and
conservation since 1990.  The park trail closest to State Road 37 passes
between Weimer Lake and the highway right of way.  Maintaining access
for bicyclists and hikers to travel around the lake is a high priority
for Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

Page 14 of the Environmental Atlas, Preferred Alternative 3C Vol. III
includes symbols for a recreation area and National Wetlands Inventory
wetland at the location of Wapehani Mt. Bike Park, however it is not
included on the list of Potential Section 4(f) Properties in page 8-4 of
the main document.

Thank you for considering this request.  Please contact me if any other
information is required.

Sincerely,

Mick Renneisen
Administrator

Cc: Mark Kruzan
      Patrick Murphy
      Tom Micuda
      Frank Nierzwicki
      John Smith
      Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission