Park Board

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES October 20, 2025 6:30PM Present: Tracy Tipton, President, Kevin Jansen, Vice-President, Jen Blackman, Dennis Nartker, Dawn McGahen, Park Director, Chris McCreery, Diana McCreery, and Brian Brennan. Public Comments: Chris McCreery talked about the Woodland Trail and the Kendall Cup Tournament that was held. He explained to the board the work that has been done and projects that need to be completed. Once done, the course will be one of the best in the areas. Chris also thanked the board for allowing him the use of equipment to use on the course. Minutes of the September 8, 2025, meeting was approved. (Blackman, Jansen) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Jansen, Nartker) Directors Report: 1. Dawn talked to the board about hiring an additional employee that would transfer from another department. 2. The Mapes family sent a thank you for our help with the state memorial marker. 3. The park received their final payment from the Gene Wible Revocable Trust. The board agreed, this should be deposited in our non-reverting fund. 4. Fees will be discussed at the December board meeting. Dawn talked about pavilion rentals and the fees for them. 5. The appropriation report looks good, all of our accounts are in good standing. 6. The American Power Boat group would like to discuss having a power boat race on Bixler Lake. After discussion, it was decided to continue with the Jet Ski event and not host two different ones. Maintenance Report: 1. Staff are continuing to mow, weed eat and mulch leaves. 2. Several dead trees were cut down, cleaned up and hauled away. 3. Seeded KRI vacant lots. 4. Power washed and sealed the campground bridge. 5. Replaced the concession stand siding that was damaged during the hailstorm. 6. Working on two irrigation pumps, one is the well pump at the KORC and one is from the Cole gardens. Recreation Report: 1. The YMCA Fall Break Camp came to the Youth Center and roller skated and did activities two different times. 2. Community Christmas Greetings has more boards requested than last year and should be a great display. 3. We plan on doing the kids “find the candy cane” activity during the Christmas boards event. Children will be awarded gift cards again this year. 4. The 5th annual disc golf tournament was held and although numbers were down, the tournament went very well. 5. We are working in the campground Halloween event and the number of campers is larger than we anticipated. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex: 1. The Pumpkin Bowl was postponed due to weather and will be held October 26 th. 2. Concessions have been cleaned and organized. 3. Staff continue to weed eat and mow the grounds. 4. Painted the base of the parking lot light poles. 5. November 1st and 2nd will be our last tournament of the year and there are 18 teams already signed up. Acceptance of Donations: (Nartker, Jansen) • Skate Park Grantito: $500.00: The Dekko Foundation • General Use: $3,118.57: The Wilber L Helmer Fund • Christmas Greeting Drive Thru: Don Gura-State Farm: $150.00 LouAnne & Bob Pillers: $200.00 Erica Dekko: $100.00 AMI Investment: $500.00 Randy & Suzanne Handshoe: $100.00 Quick Tanks: $200.00 Orchard Hill Farms, Inc.: $100.00 Kappa Kappa Kappa Alpha Chapter: $50.00  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 Board Input: Dennis commented on how good the park looks and wanted to make sure staff was aware of that. Jen asked about the Christmas Board display and how it was doing. She also asked if our meetings needed to be recorded. At this time, they do not. Kevin asked about end of the year purchases and we discussed various items we hope to encumber money for. Adjournment: 7:19pm. (Blackman, Nartker)