Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES June 10, 2024 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Kevin Jansen, Vice-President, Jen Blackman, Dave Button, Dennis Nartker, Sam Zollman, Dawn McGahen, Park Director, Diane Peachey, Skatepark Enthusiast. Public Comments: None were given. Minutes of the May 13, 2024, meeting was approved. (Jansen, Blackman) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented (Jansen, Button) Skatepark Discussion: Diane reported that the Grand Opening event was a success. There were several hundred people in attendance, and it was well received. We have temporary rule signs in place and are waiting for our final bill from Hunger Skateparks. We discussed the endowment funds raised and the board agreed that the money in our account should be sufficient for now. Directors Report: 1. Dawn talked about two concerns regarding the skatepark opening and feedback that has been received. 2. Weekly water tests and bi-weekly beach grooming are being done and will continue throughout the summer. 3. Kendallville Police Department has done a very good job of patrolling the park and watching for people and issues. 4. We are working with the city insurance company regarding hail damage that various park buildings received. 5. A park employee was involved in an accident. It was investigated and turned over to our insurance company. 6. There is a public meeting for our 5-year Master Plan on June 18, 2024, at 6:00PM at the Youth Center. Maintenance Report: 1. Continued mowing, trimming and picking up trash throughout the park system. 2. Trimmed several trees that had low hanging branches. 3. Filled in holes and fixed electrical issues at the campground. 4. Helped city employees weed the cemetery for Memorial Day weekend. 5. Worked on the skatepark, framed up and poured concrete for a seating area, placed benches and graded and seeded the outside area. 6. Started working on the miniature golf course on the east side of the lake. Recreation Report: 1. Summer day camp had a great first week. The camp received a Dekko Foundation grant of $30,000 for 3 years which will help both the park and the YMCA offset some of their losses. 2. There is a free princess concert held at the west terraces of Bixler Lake on Wednesday June 12th, 2024 at 6:00PM. 3. The mobile stage was used on Main Street and also Fairview Fellowship and will be used for other events in the near future. 4. YPN is helping with events to be held on July 4th in the park. They will have food trucks, bounces houses and a concert by local band JD3 before the Patriotic Pops and fireworks. 5. We received several positive comments from participants in the Endurance Run held at Bixler Lake. They would like to hold the run again next year on May 17/18 and extend it to a 24-hour race. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Report: 1. Everything is going well, there are several weekend tournaments, local recreational leagues and travel teams utilizing the complex. 2. Jason is trying to organize a fall recreational league and so far, has had good feedback regarding this. 3. The adult leagues are going well. 4. There is an Osprey nest on one of our light fixtures. The pair are pretty active and have been fun to watch. 5. We are still getting good feedback on the Woodland Trail Disc Golf Course. We would like to start helping with some of the work that is needed such as building two bridges and keeping them mowed and trimmed. Acceptance of Donations: (Blackman, Zollman) Daycamp: Paul & Beth Stepp-$720.00 Robert & Diane Tracey-$360.00 Donald & Melody Skinner $410.00 Donna Conrad-$25.00  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 Mobile Stage: Fairview Fellowship Church Inc. $500.00 Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex: Tim & Diane Lute-$50.00 Eagle Scout Tree Project (C Ihrie): Erica Dekko-$700.00 Board Input: Sam mentioned that he knew a massage therapist if there was a second one needed for next year’s Endurance Run. He questions if there were more issues with skateboards and bikes at the KORC since the skatepark opened. Sam questioned the use of credit cards at concession stands vs having an ATM. Dawn will look into this. Kevin noticed there was a sign at the KORC parking lot near the skatepark that will need the changed since the skatepark is open. The sign mentions no skateboards, etc. on it. Dennis asked about planning a skatepark expo next year. Dave mentioned how there are now 11 swans on the lake. Jen talked about concerns with KORC staff and also asked when the board would get the 5-year Master Plan. Dawn informed her that it would be in the fall. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30PM (Jansen, Zollman)