Park Board Meeting

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 BOARD MEETING MINUTES April 10, 2023 6:30PM Present: Kevin Jansen, President, Tracy Tipton, Vice-President, Jen Blackman, Dennis Nartker, Sam Zollman, Dawn McGahen, Park Director, Diane Peachy, Skate Park Enthusiast. Public Comments: None were given. Minutes of the March 13, 2023, meeting were approved as presented. (Tipton, Blackman) Claims were reviewed and approved as presented. (Tipton, Zollman) Skatepark Discussion: Diane Peachy told the board that we had received a $75,000 grant from The Dekko Foundation. She is working on additional grants and will start fundraising for the project and will need to raise $240,000.00 additional funds. Directors Report: Highlights: 1. We are in the process of hiring a campground director for the season. There are several reservations already and some weekends are filled. 2. Seasonal staff are being hired and we are having trouble getting their drug screens completed as the clinic has limited hours and is out of specimen cups. 3. Discussed a piece of land that a property owner might consider donating to the park. Because the location isn’t adjacent to park ground, the board felt it would be too hard to maintain the property. 4. Work on the Sunset Park prairie and ball diamonds is still being done. 5. The park has two older trucks that they are going to sell or scrap in the near future. 6. The board was made aware of a concerned parent who inquired about fencing in a playground. They discussed the idea and will take it under advisement. 7. The board approved signing the Dekko Foundation grant form for the skatepark. We were awarded $75,000 and will receive the money after the remaining funds ($240,000.00) are raised. Maintenance Report: Highlights: 1. People have thrown the large rocks around the dam into the water clogging up the waterway and blocking the gate. Staff had to use an excavator to remove them so we could control the water levels again. 2. Staff are continuing work on the maintenance barn and are almost done with the interior. 3. Assembled 20 new picnic tables made from recycled plastic. They have been placed in Jansen and Lions pavilions. 4. Continue to pick up limbs from the high winds and started mowing this week. 5. Turned on the water in the bathrooms, campgrounds, daycamp shed, etc. 6. Put up the tennis nets and changed out the rims on the west basketball courts. Recreation Update: 1. Dawn is working on summer camp, scheduling field trips, hiring staff and hosting a back to camp night on April 11th. 2. The Easter Bunny drive-thru was a success with over 100 children getting treat bags. 3. Worked with the YMCA to host a Nerf challenge for kids during spring break. Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Update: 1. Practices and games have started, and staff have been grooming and mowing the fields. 2. The batting cage building was cleaned out and several items were thrown away that had been stored there for several years. 3. Concessions have been cleaned and products have been ordered for the season.  Kendallville Park and Recreation Department 211 Iddings StreetKendallville, Indiana 46755 Phone (260)347-1064 4. Jason has solicited several businesses and they are purchasing new banners for the complex. 5. The adult softball league has minimal teams registered so far. This year we will run the league in house and not register with NSA. 6. There was a discussion regarding discounts for food sold in the concession. The board agreed that all individuals should pay full price. Acceptance of Donations: None were received. Board Input: Dennis inquired about the number of kids we will take for summer camp. We maintain a ratio depending on staff so there has been a waiting list in the past. Tracy said he had driven through the park and it looked good and there were a lot of people out walking and using it. Jen asked when the campground would open. If the weather cooperates, we will be open for the season on April 28th. The meeting was adjourned at 7:21PM (Nartker, Zollman)