The former park officer’s home at Ashton Wildwood Park north of Mingo is going to be demolished after it’s used for officer and firefighter training. Jasper County Conservation Director Keri Van Zante says the house is in bad shape, and would cost too much to fix. Park Officer Jerry Ratliff has already moved out, and Van Zante told the County Board of Supervisors Tuesday that the County Conservation Board had some extensive discussions about the house and decided to offer it for training and then demolition. 

“In talking with the Sheriff’s Office, they would use it for training, and we might be able to use it for training with the fire department too. So, the demolition shouldn’t cost too much.”

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed with the Conservation Board’s recommendation. Ashton Wildwood Park is an 113 acre park featuring upland oak-hickory woods, walking trails, a campground, and an Astronomical Observatory.