CountryMark and the Posey County Commissioners announced today an approved plan that will lead to better recreational facilities for Mt. Vernon, Ind., youth and an increased buffer zone around CountryMark's refinery campus.

Earlier this year, CountryMark purchased two parcels of land located south of the CountryMark campus, off of Smith Road in Mt. Vernon. The ground had been farmed and CountryMark’s interest in the property was to increase the buffer zone on the south side the company’s campus. 

Of the two newly acquired CountryMark parcels, the southern parcel, the farthest away from the CountryMark campus, became a discussion point between CountryMark and the County. The County owned a similar sized parcel of land on O’Donnell Road east of the County Jail and the newly acquired CountryMark property. This County-owned property on O’Donnell Road was home to youth soccer fields and bordered the CountryMark campus on its north and east side. 

“In conversations with the County, it became more logical for CountryMark and the County to swap properties,” said CountryMark Vice President of Operations Pat Ward. “The County’s property was closer to our refinery providing an ideal buffer zone for the CountryMark campus, while the southern portion of CountryMark’s newly acquired land offered real potential for community use and increasing property values in the area.” 

To assist the County with the land swap, CountryMark added $125,000 to the agreement for the County to use in relocating the recreational facilities, including the youth soccer fields currently located off O’Donnell Road. The soccer fields will remain at their current site this spring, while the County researches potential sites for the new recreational facilities. 

“We’re confident that with outstanding local leadership, community involvement, and our financial contribution, the new soccer fields and recreational facilities will be a great source of pride for the young people of our community for years to come,” said Ward. 

Ward also noted this land swap will not impact Posey County’s yard waste site, which currently operates off of O’Donnell Road, just north of the soccer fields.  

“Through the land swap, this parcel will be owned by CountryMark, but will continue to be the County’s yard waste site,” said Ward.