City Hires New Director Of Parks Activities
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Warsaw's new park activities director will look at possible changes in the future, but likes a lot of what's already in place.
Andy McCleary, 22, was hired earlier this month to replace Denise Beno, who resigned after helping establish the position nearly four years ago.
McCleary recently graduated from Indiana University with a degree in recreation and an emphasis in sports management. He spent the summer working as an intern in the parks department.
The hiring of McCleary ends any speculation that first-year mayor Ernie Wiggins would trim back the level of park activities or the full-time job itself.
The park activities job became full-time less than two years ago as the number of activities continued to expand.
Although most of the activities are scheduled during the summer, much of the winter is spent planning and seeking grants and private support. With that in mind, Wiggins said he chose to keep the position full time.
"We're very fortunate to have someone with Andy's degree as well as having served that internship for 13 weeks," Wiggins said.
McCleary was one of 22 people to seek the job.
All of the major concerts including BalloonFest and the Country Music Harvest Fest shows will remain intact. He also wants to continue the Friday Evening Performing Arts Series in Central Park.
McCleary said he will spend time evaluating all of the programs to assess the cost and attendance to determine future plans.
He said he wants to continue programming ethnic programs and children's programs.
One idea he will consider will be establishing a winter basketball league, which currently doesn't exist locally. The program would likely require renting school gyms, he said.
"I have a vision for teens and I'll do everything I can to see that their needs are met and are involved in our community," McCleary said.
In addition to typical internship tasks, McCleary worked with the assistant city planner in preparing a proposed bike path that would stretch from Winona Lake to the City-County Athletic Complex.
McCleary is a Warsaw Community High School graduate. At IU, he was involved in intramural basketball, volleyball and football. He was also active in Campus Crusade for Christ and the Student Athletic Board. [[In-content Ad]]
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Warsaw's new park activities director will look at possible changes in the future, but likes a lot of what's already in place.
Andy McCleary, 22, was hired earlier this month to replace Denise Beno, who resigned after helping establish the position nearly four years ago.
McCleary recently graduated from Indiana University with a degree in recreation and an emphasis in sports management. He spent the summer working as an intern in the parks department.
The hiring of McCleary ends any speculation that first-year mayor Ernie Wiggins would trim back the level of park activities or the full-time job itself.
The park activities job became full-time less than two years ago as the number of activities continued to expand.
Although most of the activities are scheduled during the summer, much of the winter is spent planning and seeking grants and private support. With that in mind, Wiggins said he chose to keep the position full time.
"We're very fortunate to have someone with Andy's degree as well as having served that internship for 13 weeks," Wiggins said.
McCleary was one of 22 people to seek the job.
All of the major concerts including BalloonFest and the Country Music Harvest Fest shows will remain intact. He also wants to continue the Friday Evening Performing Arts Series in Central Park.
McCleary said he will spend time evaluating all of the programs to assess the cost and attendance to determine future plans.
He said he wants to continue programming ethnic programs and children's programs.
One idea he will consider will be establishing a winter basketball league, which currently doesn't exist locally. The program would likely require renting school gyms, he said.
"I have a vision for teens and I'll do everything I can to see that their needs are met and are involved in our community," McCleary said.
In addition to typical internship tasks, McCleary worked with the assistant city planner in preparing a proposed bike path that would stretch from Winona Lake to the City-County Athletic Complex.
McCleary is a Warsaw Community High School graduate. At IU, he was involved in intramural basketball, volleyball and football. He was also active in Campus Crusade for Christ and the Student Athletic Board. [[In-content Ad]]