Cicero honors the man behind the parks

Just above the new fishing pier, you can see the floating dock which will be soon turned into a handicap kayak launch, thus completing Charlie’s Landing at Red Bridge Park. (Photo provided by 4th Hawk Consulting)

Charlie Cambre

The Cicero Town Council recently approved a motion to name the newly opened pier and the forthcoming kayak launch at Red Bridge Park as “Charlie’s Landing” in honor of Charlie Cambre.

Cambre is the force behind the installation of the pier and his next vision for the park is Indiana’s first handicap accessible kayak and canoe launch.

Cicero Town Council Member and Park Liaison Rusty Miller told The Reporter he thought this name was a fitting tribute to the man who has done and continues to do so much for Cicero.

“Naming the area after Charlie was brought up in our town meeting,” Miller said. “The Friends of the Park had talked to [Council President] Chad Amos about it so he brought it up with the president’s report.”

There was little debate about naming this attraction after Cambre, and only a little discussion on the specifics of the name itself, according to Miller.

“We talked about calling it Charlie’s Pier, but we called it Charlie’s Landing because when we incorporate the kayak launch next year we would have Charlie’s Pier and then the kayak launch separate,” Miller said. “These are both Charlie’s babies. This way they are together as one unit.”

Miller

Friends of the Park Member Emily Pearson also expressed her support for Charlie’s Landing to The Reporter.

“I as a member of Friends of the Park am extremely pleased that the town council approved naming the landing as Charlie’s Landing,” Pearson said. “Charlie has done so much for the town and for the park system that we have one of the most amazing park systems around. It’s great to be able to let him know how much he is appreciated and respected in the community.”

The motion was put forth by Cicero Town Council President Chad Amos, who spoke about Cambre’s service and dedication as the motivation for this name.

“Charlie is always looking for new ways to bring people to the parks. There are talks of a possible splash pad in the future at Red Bridge Park.”

Pearson

The next enhancement for Red Bridge Park, as first reported in The Hamilton County Reporter Oct. 1, is the handicap accessible launch, which could be complete as soon as next year.

“I think what will be really big will be that first-ever handicap accessible kayak launch that should be put in next year,” Amos said. “That will probably come with an outbuilding where people can picnic or weigh in fish. We are going to try to tie that in with some of the bass associations that do tournaments on kayaks. That should draw more people to Red Bridge Park also.”

Amos

Like everyone else The Reporter spoke to, Amos was filled with praise for Cambre.

“His years of dedication to the town and all the work he has put forth on all the parks has been outstanding,” Amos told The Reporter. “He takes pride in all his work. We know he won’t be around forever. We thought it would be a good thing to do for him while he’s still here so he can enjoy it and see every day that it’s dedicated to him.”