Diana's Pumpkin Patch at 1649 Poplar will operate again this fall with a permit from Fremont County
Complaints from neighbors along Poplar and Locust Avenues in Lincoln Park last year prompted Fremont County Officials to consider permit requirements for a popular autumn farm attraction. Diana’s Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze has been operated by Sue and Tim Madone on their property at 1649 Poplar. Fremont County Code Enforcement Officers and Sheriff’s deputies fielded complaints last year about traffic congestion, parking, and private property trespass issues from several neighbors. Because of the growing popularity that was attracting large crowds the County Planning and Zoning Department decided that a permit review would be needed.
The Board of Commissioners approved a temporary use permit for Diana’s Pumpkin Patch at their July 28th board meeting after the Madones detailed plans of how they intend to deal with the crush of crowds and traffic. The event will run September 19th to October 31st. It will include pumpkin picking, a corn maze, hayrides, a hay slide, a grain barn, and a snack bar. Sue Madone said they intend to have young men working as parking attendants and have arranged to have several off-street parking locations nearby. Those steps are being taken to address complaints by several neighbors who said people were parking on private property, blocking driveways, and urinating in people’s front yards.
District 2 Commissioner Debbie Bell said the Pumpkin Patch idea is a great attraction for the Lincoln Park and trusts that the Madones can address the neighbors' concerns. Commission Chairman Ed Norden encouraged the Madones to improve signage throughout the Lincoln Park neighborhood to direct motorists to parking areas and to alleviate traffic congestion. The Commissioners were also told by Sheriff Jim Beicker that he intends to increase patrols by deputies on the busy weekends around the Pumpkin Patch this fall.
In other routine business at the July 28th meeting the Commissioners:
- Approved abandonment of a water tap at 201 North 6th Street that was still associated with the Garden Park Building but is no longer in use;
- Reappointed Mike Pullen and Francis Williams to the Building Code Board of Appeals;
- Conducted a public hearing and then voted to adopt the January, 2015 Fremont County Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan assembled by County Emergency Management Director Steve Morrisey;
- Heard a brief presentation and voted to accept the 2014 county audit report.