Building an amphitheater in Blue River Memorial Park remains a goal for the Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department.

However, there is no design or timeline for the completion of such an amenity.

That has not stopped the parks department from starting to shape a large berm, or artificial ridge that will accommodate those attending events at such a venue.

“Over time, we are getting the berm built so we will be ready to build the rest of it,” said parks department director Karen Martin Thursday afternoon. “There is no timeline but as the Music in the Park series grows, we hope to have it to accommodate that. But there is no huge rush.”

Currently, the city brings in a temporary stage for the Music in the Park Series.

Jeff Brown photos

A large berm, or artificial ridge, is being created south of the playground area at Blue River Memorial Park. The berm will serve as a large seating area when, and if, an amphitheater is built at Shelbyville's largest city park.

An opportunity arose earlier this year to start setting available dirt which put street department director Doug Hunt to work.

The street department recently finished hauling 380 truckloads of dirt from the Shelbyville Municipal Airport to Blue River Memorial Park. Indiana Grand Racing & Casino also donated excess dirt it had for the project.

The plan is to make the berm about 75 feet wide and 200 feet long, according to Hunt. And it should rise about 15 feet off the ground.

“It has a 10-to-1 slope which means every 10 feet you go up one foot in slope,” said Hunt.

The amphitheater will sit south of the playground and splash pad at the park facing south toward the berm which will sit near the Blue River Cross Country Course.

Martin believes the berm will become a tremendous viewing point for events at the cross country course that hosts elementary, middle school, high school, and college races.

“I think that will be really nice,” she said.

Martin estimates between 500-600 people take advantage of Music in the Park, a free monthly concert during the summer months. With the addition of the berm, crowds could go as high as 2,000 to 3,000 for larger events.

“We have the opportunity to make a heck of a venue,” said Hunt.