The newest addition to Ligonier's lineup of public parks is set to go from the drawing board to the construction stage this summer.

Pettit Park will be built on part of a now-vacant lot at the northwest corner of Lincolnway West and Cavin Street at the north edge of the downtown area. The land used to house a large factory that was torn down last year. Preliminary plans for the new park have it taking up less than half of the 3.7 acres of land.

The land was donated to the city by the Cliff Pettit family of Ligonier, and the naming of the area was done in line with the agreement to gift the land to the city, according to Mayor Patty Fisel.

There are several phases being planned for the new park, and they will be done in stages as funds become available, Fisel told the Ligonier Park Board at a recent meeting.

Environmental tests have to be done on soil at the site before construction can start. The land has been tested before, and the last round will look at soil found under the concrete foundation of the razed building.

The Jennie Thompson Foundation, based in Ligonier and named after a woman who left her estate to the city, gave the city a $32,000 grant to get work started on Pettit Park, Fisel said.

The first phase of the new park will include a picnic pavilion and stations for a farmer's market. Using funds from the Thompson foundation, design plans have been drawn up by The Troyer Group for the pavilion, which will include restrooms.

Fisel said various community groups have expressed interest in helping with this and additional stages of the project.

Other potential additions include a playground and a riverwalk along the Elkhart River, which borders the north edge of the property. A walking path already has been started along other parts of the river, west of the park. A rain garden that would use captured rainwater, is another possible feature.

Fisel said one of the goals for the city is to expand the farmer's market and try to get more people to stop in Ligonier as they travel through the city on their way to Shipshewana and other locations. The Farmer's Market currently is held at Gazebo Park, a few blocks away from the new site, and adjacent to Ligonier City Hall.

Fisel said the city is pursuing grants from other sources and will be reaching out to service clubs, church groups and Operation Foundation for additional help to develop the park.