Park Board
Regular MeetingKendallville, IN · January 10, 2022
Minutes
Kendallville Park and Recreation Department
211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 10, 2022
6:30PM
Present: Kevin Jansen, President; Sam Zollman, Vice President; Jen Blackman, Tracy Tipton, Dave
Button, Dawn McGahen, Park Director, Ryan Alwine, Facilities Manager.
Public Comments: None were given.
Minutes of the December 11, 2021 meeting were approved as presented. (Blackman, Zollman)
Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Tipton, Button)
Skatepark Discussion: The board was given an update regarding the new location for the skatepark at
the KORC. After discussion with the skatepark advocates, building inspector, county surveyor and an
engineer, it appears the new site will work. The timeline for public hearing and rezoning should be
complete around April at which time a contract can be signed, design decided upon and fundraising
can start.
The Campground Coordinators contract and job description were discussed, signed and voted on.
Steve Walters will serve as our Campground Coordinator for the 2022 season. (Button, Tipton)
Park and KORC rules were discussed, signed and voted on with a copy going to the police department
for enforcement. (Zollman, Button)
Wayne Township contract was discussed, signed and voted on to accept. (Tipton, Blackman)
Directors Report: Highlights
1. Dawn met with Brad Graden from the Community Foundation of Noble County to discuss the
best options for fundraising for our sports complex endowment. Fundraising packets were
passed out to the board so that we can raise funds for the matching Dekko Foundation Grant.
2. The board was given a mobile stage contract to look over so that it can be voted on at the
February meeting. Some of the items that need decided on are pricing, how many times it is
rented per month, overtime costs per rental, etc.
3. When the youth center is rented, we have been giving refunds if the renter cancels due to
covid issues. It was decided that if the cancellation is 90 days from the rental date, they would
get a full refund. If it is less than 90 days, they would forfeit the money or have the
opportunity to reschedule within the calendar year 1 time.
4. A staff meeting was held and went very well. We discussed upcoming projects, the opening at
the sports complex and what we want to accomplish in the future.
5. We are working on the annual report and will have it ready for the February meeting.
Maintenance Report: Highlights
Kendallville Park and Recreation Department
211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064
1. Staff removed and helped with snow and ice removal.
2. Picked up limbs that came down in wind storms.
3. Cut up and removed a tree that came down in the Cole Garden.
4. Continued clearing brush in the campground.
5. Cleaned out several park and orc storage areas, barns and concessions.
6. Sorted through old records in storage and separated the ones that can be disposed of.
7. Cut up and hauled away large trees in the east beach parking lot.
8. Cleaned up and put away items from the Community Christmas Greetings Drive Thru.
Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Update:
1. Working with Jim Kimmel on the NSA World Series event that will be in September 2022.
2. Revising the KORC Managers job description.
Recreation Update:
1. The Community Christmas Greetings Drive Thru went very well. The boards on display were
a nice variety and very well done. There were also Christmas blow-ups on display.
2. Special Olympic cheerleading is using the Youth Center for practices every Thursday evening.
3. Fairview Fellowship (formerly Pine Hills) is renting the Youth Center each Wednesday for
their youth group meetings while there building is being remodeled.
4. Working with the CLC and YMCA to host a pickleball league.
5. The new disc golf course is being used. There will be a volunteer work day coming up and
they are hoping that park employees can assist with this.
Acceptance of Donations: (Blackman, Zollman)
❖ Marvin Bailey Memorial Park Bench-
o Wesley & Laura Bailey - $100.00
o Clayton & Tonja Loos - $50.00
o Ryan & Candice Beavans - $50.00
o Sean & Susan Maddox - $50.00
o John & Diane Norton - $50.00
o Scott & Cindy Frick - $50.00
o Keith & Carol Miller – $25.00
❖ Trees-
o Michael & Natalie Axel (for Dennis Nartker’s Christmas gift) - $250.00
o James Reick (for Dennis Nartker’s Christmas gift) - $50.00
❖ Daycamp-
o M Jane Pankop - $100.00
Board Input:
Tracy mentioned how pickleball is growing and inquired about the leagues that we talked about.
Dave commented about how the bench he had installed along the lakeshore looked very nice and is
getting used.
Jen asked about the change in office hours and how they were working out. She was told that after
one week there were no concerns and it was going good.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:27PM (Button, Tipton)
Agenda
Kendallville Park and Recreation Department
211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
December 13, 2021
6:30PM
Present: Kevin Jansen, President; Jen Blackman, Dave Button, Dennis Nartker, Sam Zollman, Dawn
McGahen, Park Director, Ryan Alwine, Facilities Manager. Also, present Campground Coordinator-
Steve Walters, Skatepark Advocates-Diane Peachy, Ron Witham, Cathy Berry and Chris Streb. Jim
Kimmel from the National Softball Association was also present.
Public Comments: None were given.
Minutes of the November 8th, 2021 meeting were approved as presented. (Button, Zollman)
Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Nartker, Blackman)
Skatepark Discussion: The skatepark group met with Dawn McGahen and Ryan Alwine to discuss a
possible location for the skatepark at the Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex (KORC). The
group asked the park board to approve pursuing the possible site due to concerns about the previous
site at Sunset Park. After discussion, it was decided that the KORC site could be utilized. (Blackman,
Zollman)
National Softball Association (NSA) Discussion: Jim Kimmel the State Director for NSA thanked the
board for sending Ryan Alwine to the NSA Conference. He explained how they were able to network
and by doing so the KORC will be hosting the NSA Silver and Elite World Series in September of
2022. He also expressed an interest in scheduling other events at the complex in the future.
Election of Officers: Kevin Jansen was nominated for President. (Button, Blackman) and Sam
Zollman was nominated for Vice President (Jansen, Blackman).
Park Fees: After receiving input from park staff and discussion by the board, they agreed to adjust
fees accordingly for 2022. Fee increases will be publicized on the park website and relayed to
individuals interested in renting facilities and camping. (Zollman, Button)
Approval of Spending Over $500.00: After discussion by the board, they agreed to adjust the limit for
spending to $4,000.00 to match what the Board of Works requires from other city departments. The
board reviewed a list of equipment and park improvements and after discussion, the list was approved.
(Nartker, Button)
Kendallville Park and Recreation Department
211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064
Directors Report: Highlights
1. The park had an employee test positive for Covid. Staff did a good job working individually
and keeping their distance during this time.
2. The park received a matching Dekko Foundation for the KORC Phase II Endowment. There
was discussion regarding the board helping fundraise for this.
3. The Office Manager has asked that park office hours be shortened. It was discussed with the
mayor and the board and was decided that we would adjust the hours and see if it works.
4. We will be scheduling meetings with individuals and groups who we work with throughout
the year such as Wayne Township Trustee, baseball and softball leagues, soccer, etc.
Maintenance Report: Highlights
1. Mulching of leaves has been completed throughout the parks.
2. The campground firewood storage area is finished and looks very good.
3. Bulletin boards were added at the campground office and bathrooms.
4. Several benches were repaired and spruced up.
5. Low spots in the campground were filled and leveled off.
6. Assisted with the city Christmas tree and put up the banners on Main Street.
7. Helped with set-up of the Community Christmas Greetings Drive-thru.
Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Update:
1. We are working on updating fees and contracts for the upcoming season.
2. Continuing to work on the 2022 schedule.
3. Staff has been cleaning out the barns and concessions stands.
4. Completing routine maintenance on all of the vehicles.
Recreation Update:
1. Set-up of the Community Christmas Greetings Drive-thru with a total of 52 boards. We also
have several holiday themed blow-ups that were donated by the Jim Hodge Family.
2. In collaboration with the Cole Center Family YMCA, we held our annual Tinsel Trot through
the Christmas Card Display. Patrons were then offered hot chocolate and smore’s around the
campfire.
3. The park had a float in the Christmas Parade and won 1st place for most unique.
4. Skate night continues to be successful with several children attending each week.
Acceptance of Donations: (Blackman, Button)
❖ Community Christmas Greeting Drive-thru
o AMI Investments - $500.00
o Brad Miller - $500.00
o Aubrey & Ginny Ray - $150.00
o Taylor Made/Lippert - $100.00
Kendallville Park and Recreation Department
211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064
Board Input:
Dennis Nartker asked if we could get rid of the shuffleboard courts at Sunset Park due to their
deteriorating condition and being an eye sore.
Dave Button commented how nice the park looks.
Kevin Jansen asked if we could look into getting concrete cornhole sets installed somewhere in the
park system.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 PM (Nartker, Zollman)
Get email alerts for Kendallville
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.