Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES February 10, 2025 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Jen Blackman, Jeni Ekovich, Dennis Nartker, and Dawn McGahen, Park Director Public Comments: None were given. Minutes of the January 13, 2025, meeting was approved. (Blackman, Nartker) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented (Blackman, Nartker) Playground Discussion: Dawn shared with the board that the playground structures will be delivered this week. We are close to our fundraising goal and have met The Dekko Foundation Grant Match. We will work on organizing the community build that will be held the second week of April. Directors Report: 1. The board voted to allow Dawn to purchase gift cards as needed for prizes for park events. (Nartker, Ekovich) 2. There will be a public meeting to discuss our 5-year Master Plan on March 5th, 2025, at 6:00p.m. at the Youth Center. 3. The mobile stage has a few reservations for the spring and summer season. 4. There will be a vaccine clinic at the Youth Center on Wednesday February 12 th, 2025, from 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m. 5. The board discussed access and boundaries of the Freshe preserve. Maintenance Report: 1. Painted in the Youth Center bathrooms and changed faucets. 2. Primed and put away boards from the Community Christmas Greetings. 3. Stripped and waxed the Youth Center gym floor. 4. Assembled 15 new recycled picnic tables that will be put in various pavilions. 5. Cleaned up brush and limbs from trees that were cut down. 6. Finished assembling miniature golf hole frames and are waiting on additional materials for them. 7. Fixed and painted wooden picnic tables. Recreation Report: 1. Hosted a speed puzzle contest and had good feedback from the participants. 2. Scheduled a magic show in May utilizing the mobile stage and the west terraces of the park. 3. Will have the princess concert in June also on the west terraces of the park. 4. The Armed Forces Endurance Run will be May 17, 18 2025 in the campground and park trails. 5. We are hosting a jet ski competition the last weekend in July. They will race on Bixler Lake, and it will bring several people to the park and community. 6. Back to Camp night will be held in April. Summer camp field trips, themes, etc. are all in the works. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex: 1. Jason met with ENYBL and KGSL about their season and the schedule. 2. The park is working with Destiny Church to host an Easter Food Giveaway in April. 3. We have the schedule for NASA and will be getting one from the YMCA for teeball, ragball as well. 4. Banner renewals and certificates of liabilities are starting for the 2025 season. Acceptance of Donations: (Blackman, Ekovich) • Playground Fundraiser: Mike and Brenda Jansen-$100.00 Hite Funeral Home-$250.00 Black and Ramer Insurance, LLC-$1,000.00 General Use: Erica Dekko-$10,128.64 Board Input: Dennis had us explain the 5-year Master Plan to Jeni. Adjournment: 6:56 p.m. (Blackman, Ekovich)