Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES April 14, 2025 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Kevin Jansen, Vice-President, Dave Button, Jeni Ekovich, Dennis Nartker, and Dawn McGahen, Park Director Public Comments: None were presented. Minutes of the March 10, 2025, meeting were approved. (Jansen, Button) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented (Jansen, Button) Playground Discussion: Dawn told the board that the playground build went well. We had several volunteers and city employees help and we were able to complete it in 3 days. Directors Report: 1. The office manager position will be posted around the first of May. 2. City insurance went up significantly this year which was reflected in this month’s appropriation report. 3. The park bathrooms are open and we have already had some graffiti in the soccer restroom. We will monitor this and if needed lock them at night. 4. The police investigated a reckless driving complaint at the complex. They retrieved video evidence from our cameras. 5. We have had complaints regarding improper use of the campground ball diamond. They are now being reserved through Jason as a way to monitor usage. 6. IDNR is spraying areas for spotted lantern fly. 7. We opened the Youth Center during the fire across the street so the fire crews had a place to rehab. 8. The owl tree that has been in the park for 10 years fell. Staff are going to try and salvage some of the carved part. Maintenance Report: 1. Staff prepared all of the playground sites for the build. 2. Memorial benches and the benches at the west beach bathrooms have been removed and are being fixed for the season. 3. We continue to pick up limbs and trash throughout the park system. 4. A couple sections of sidewalk have been removed due to issues and millings were put down temporarily in these areas. 5. The mini golf course has been laid out and staff will continue working on it so it can be open by Memorial Day. 6. There are several areas in the park that were chip and sealed. Recreation Report: 1. We are hosting a Back to Camp night Wednesday at the Youth Center. Dawn is working on hiring day camp staff, arranging field trips, etc. for summer camp. 2. A mural has been added at the skatepark. Emma Rager volunteered her time and painted it for us. 3. Dawn was a judge at the Civics Bee and explained to the board how it worked. 4. KPD asked Dawn to sit in on dispatcher interviews. 5. Staff attended the Indiana Youth Cohort Meeting. 6. We are working with a local group on hosting music in the park and a cabaret night. 7. A citizen donated dispensers to be used for used fishing line. These were placed in the park in hopes that individuals fishing will stop discarding fishing line on the ground that injures animals and gets tangled in mowers. 8. We are continuing to work with the YMCA on hosting swim lessons at one of our beaches. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex: 1. The first tournament of the year was last weekend. We hosted 31 teams and the tournament went well. 2. Jason had a meeting with ENYBL and is working on their schedule. We are still waiting on KGSL’s schedule. 3. Field rental is in high demand. Fields 1-4 are booked every day this week. 4. Concession staff did a good job working the first tournament. There are several returning employees and also new ones. 5. Jason and Ryan met with a representative from Duraedge about possibly doing some work on our ball fields.  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 Acceptance of Donations: (Button, Jansen) *Playground: The Dekko Foundation $30,000.00 *General Use: Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma XI Chapter $200.00 Board Input: Kevin asked Dawn if she was ready for the summer. It is going to be a busy one with camp, ball tournaments and activities. Adjournment: 7:18pm (Jansen, Ekovich)