City of Jasper Chooses to Hold Public Meeting on Possible Closure of Local Park

The City of Jasper has announced an informational meeting to discuss the permanent closure of Seng Park. At 6:30 pm on Wednesday, September 30, at the Jasper Train Depot, City Attorney Renee Kubrick will be on hand to answer questions surrounding the future of the neighborhood park. Members of the Jasper City Park and Recreation Board and the Common Council have also been invited to attend the meeting.

On August 21, 2026, property owners in the Seng’s Heights subdivision received a letter from the City that recommended the decommissioning of Seng Park. That letter indicated, “When the Seng’s Heights was platted in 1952, Lot 14 was designated as a recreational area for use by residents of the subdivision. The recorded plat provides that the owners of Lots 1 through 13 and Lots 15 through 42 each hold a 1/41 interest in Lot 14. In 1974, Lot 14 was conveyed by warranty deed to the Jasper Park and Recreation Department. Because the ownership interests described in the recorded plat were not addressed by that conveyance, the City does not have a clear title to Lot 14.”

While Seng Park has been maintained as a neighborhood park, the Jasper Park and Recreation Department has recommended that it be decommissioned, saying that “the property has not received meaningful patronage and the cost of maintaining it is disproportionate to its level of use.” No records supporting maintenance costs or usage levels were provided in the documentation. The department suggested that an investment would be necessary to replace aging equipment, and larger parks offer sufficient recreational opportunities. Owners were asked to convey any interest that they may hold in Lot 14 to the City.

The City has proposed that the lot be used for residential development (R2, medium density) instead of its current recreational designation. According to the letter, “Before the City can offer Lot 14 for sale for residential development, the ownership interests identified in the recorded plat must be resolved.” It is unknown at this time who would receive the funds from the proposed sale. Owners were encouraged to contact the City of Jasper Legal Department for more information.

Residents were notified of Wednesday’s upcoming meeting through a mailing dated September 2, 2026. For additional clarification, the letter indicates the session was planned “to explain the information presented in the City’s prior correspondence, including the history of ownership of Lot 14 and the legal issues arising from the original Seng’s Height’s subdivision plat. City representatives will provide an overview of the property’s history, discuss the City’s current understanding of the ownership interests affecting the property, and explain the process being proposed to resolve those interests.”

The City invites “all interested residents and property owners to attend” at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, September 30, at the Jasper Train Depot on Mill Street.

For more information, contact the City of Jasper Legal Department at 812-482-4255.

- Drew Hasselbring