Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES August 19, 2024 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Kevin Jansen, Vice-President, Dave Button, Dennis Nartker, Sam Zollman Dawn McGahen, Park Director, Public Comments: None were presented. Minutes of the July 8, 2024, meeting was approved. (Button, Jansen) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented (Jansen, Zollman) Skatepark Discussion: We are working on a sign recognizing donors. We are also looking into painting a mural on one of the bigger concrete features. Directors Report: 1. The 5-year master plan is being proofed and should be done this fall so that it can be submitted to DNR. 2. The 2025 budget was submitted to the finance committee and they felt it looked good. It will go to the city council for approval. 3. Jake Ramey is working with us through the ICE program and is doing a great job. 4. Dawn discussed the appropriation report and the endowment accounts and told the board that the park was in good financial standing. 5. The campground income is similar to last year at this time. It has been a good year with very little issues. 6. We have had individuals wanting to have foam parties and slip and slides at our pavilions. Dawn told the board that we have to pay for water during these events and after talking to the water department it was decided that they shouldn’t be allowed. 7. Dawn and Ryan met with a representative from Sinclair Recreation to look at Sunset Park playground and the tot-lot playground. Both playgrounds need updated. Dawn completed a grant in hopes of getting matching funds for a new structure. Maintenance Report: 1. Staff have been working on the miniature golf course. They have removed the existing asphalt and designed and installed limestone for the first 9 holes. 2. Cleaned up the east shoreline so that you can see the lake from the picnic area. It looks very nice. 3. Helped weed eat the cemetery and also string trimmed around the park properties. 4. Continue to mow, pick up trash and limbs. 5. Painted the Sunset Park bathrooms. 6. Continue to groom the beaches twice a week. 7. Mowed the shoreline and along the channel with the sickle bar. 8. Cut a tree that was down on the road by the archery range. Recreation Report: 1. Summer day camp went very well. There was a strong group of staff, and 165 campers had a great summer. 2. The mobile stage is being used a lot this summer. There have been concerts at Founders Park and we have two rentals this fall. Dawn hopes to schedule another concert on the west terraces as well. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex Report: 1. The wiffleball tournament was held with 40 teams participating. It went very well, and several players asked us to host a fall wiffleball league. 2. Jason has scheduled 3 USSSA fastpitch softball tournaments for the fall. 3. Fall ball league started with several teams registered and playing. 4. NASA soccer is scheduled to practice and play the first week of September. 5. YMCA Flag Football will also be starting in September. 6. We are hosting an ENMS cross country meet on September 25, 2024. Acceptance of Donations: None  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 Board Input: Kevin asked about nominations for Friend of the Park. There was a discussion on who we would award it to at the September meeting. Everyone agreed on the names that were discussed. Kevin also mentioned that if we remove the Sunset Park play structure before installing a new one, we should put a sign there saying a new structure would be coming soon. Sam asked if we could have the September meeting at the skatepark. The board agreed this would be a good idea. We will then have the October meeting at the Lion’s Pavilion to see the new fireplace. Tracy asked about an update on summer day camp incidents. Dawn explained that the authorities said they were closed and not being pursued any further. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20PM (Jansen, Nartker)