Indiana city plans pollinator park, memorial to 2008 floods

COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) - A southern Indiana city is moving ahead with plans to turn an area hit by severe flash flooding in 2008 into a pollinator park.

The proposed 2.5-acre (1-hectare) park was approved in September by Columbus officials, although state and federal agencies must approve the project before work can begin.

The (Columbus) Republic reports the park would be on the city's east side, where June 2008 flooding destroyed 48 homes. The city bought those homes through a federally funded program to clear the site for parkland.

The park would feature a walking path with native plants that would attract birds, bees and butterflies. It would also include a memorial to the flooding in the city about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Indianapolis.

About $16,000 has been raised so far toward the project.

___

Information from: The Republic, http://www.therepublic.com/