Parks Board Approves Several Summer Activities
March 22, 2017 at 4:27 p.m.
By David [email protected]
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Warsaw Parks Board approved its annual agreement with the Warsaw Community Tennis Association (WCTA), Willie 103.5’s Willie Chili Dogs and the Warsaw Community Schools free lunch program.
Jan Orban, WCTA, told the board that in 2016, the tennis program had 173 participants, including 48 kids in kindergarten to second grade; 58 in third through fifth; 41 in sixth through eighth; and 25 in ninth through 12th grade. She said the number of high school participants has grown quite a bit, and even includes kids from other school corporations like Tippecanoe Valley.
“We would really appreciate your support. We’re six weeks again this summer. We have a date set,” Orban said.
She said they are partnering with a company called SDI this summer so a child can be registered online with a credit card. The registration fee was upped $3 last year to cover SDI’s costs.
Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer said, “I think you all know this is a collaboration between the schools, the parks and the tennis association. It started in the parks. It just outgrew our facilities.”
Orban said she couldn’t recall how long the affiliation has been going on but it’s probably been over 17 years. “It certainly has blossomed,” she said.
The Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department pays up to $6,000 for the tennis program, Board President Steve Haines said.
Woody Zimmerman then presented the dates that radio station Willie 103.5 would like to have its free hot dog and snack days down at Central Park.
Willie Chili Dogs days will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17, June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 20.
“It’s free lunch. It’s just a way to get people out and down to the park,” he said, noting the radio station gets sponsors for it.
Plummer said his office would check the books and make sure there were no conflicts, but since those days are on Wednesday it shouldn’t be a problem. If there is a conflict, Zimmerman said Willie would move its date.
“I think it’s a good thing. It gives people an option to come down to the park and eat a free lunch. It’s been very successful,” Plummer said.
After the board approved the Willie Chili Days, Plummer told them the Warsaw Community Schools Food Nutrition Services wants to do its free lunch program at Bixler Park again this summer like it has for the last 11 summers. In 2016, it served between 100 to 150 lunches per day at Bixler. In June alone, reading from information he received from WCS, Plummer said the program served 2,637 in 19 days.
“It’s a need for the community and it’s great that we can have this in the park available for people who aren’t fortunate to have a meal. We haven’t had any issues with pick up or garbage after the event. It’s just a good thing. It’s their 11th year that they did it. They used to do it at multiple sites, but the last few years they just did it at Bixler Park and it just seems to work well there,” Plummer said.
Bill Baldwin, park board member, asked if the kids just showed up or if they had to register for it.
“They can just show up for a free meal. Adults can eat for a small fee,” Plummer replied.
Baldwin asked how they figured how many people were going to show up for the lunches. Plummer said they don’t, they just brought the meals.
“I’ve never heard of them running out,” Haines said.
The park board approved for the program to be in the park. The Park Department does not contribute financially to it.
In other business, the Park Board:
• Approved three resolutions regarding the five-year master plan, including a resolution to adopt the Warsaw Parks Master Plan 2017-2021; a request for eligibility to participate in the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Program administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; and one regarding the Assurance of Accessibility and Compliance with Architectural Barriers Act, the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Heard from Plummer that the parks’ new tractor has been ordered and should be arriving any day.
He also reported a few of the new banners hanging up in Central Park last year showed some tears on the side and there was some rust on the grommets. The company they were purchased from, Big Picture Imagery, is redoing all of those at no charge. New material is being used for the new ones, Plummer said, and he will pick them up Monday.
His last item was that the Pike Lake campground opens April 15.
• Heard from Recreation Director Sheila Wieringa that the headlining artist for the Blues & BBQ concert July 7 is Tinsley Ellis. On April 3, Willie 103.5 will announce the country concert headliners and WRSW 107.3 will announce the classic rock headliner.
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At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Warsaw Parks Board approved its annual agreement with the Warsaw Community Tennis Association (WCTA), Willie 103.5’s Willie Chili Dogs and the Warsaw Community Schools free lunch program.
Jan Orban, WCTA, told the board that in 2016, the tennis program had 173 participants, including 48 kids in kindergarten to second grade; 58 in third through fifth; 41 in sixth through eighth; and 25 in ninth through 12th grade. She said the number of high school participants has grown quite a bit, and even includes kids from other school corporations like Tippecanoe Valley.
“We would really appreciate your support. We’re six weeks again this summer. We have a date set,” Orban said.
She said they are partnering with a company called SDI this summer so a child can be registered online with a credit card. The registration fee was upped $3 last year to cover SDI’s costs.
Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer said, “I think you all know this is a collaboration between the schools, the parks and the tennis association. It started in the parks. It just outgrew our facilities.”
Orban said she couldn’t recall how long the affiliation has been going on but it’s probably been over 17 years. “It certainly has blossomed,” she said.
The Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department pays up to $6,000 for the tennis program, Board President Steve Haines said.
Woody Zimmerman then presented the dates that radio station Willie 103.5 would like to have its free hot dog and snack days down at Central Park.
Willie Chili Dogs days will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17, June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 20.
“It’s free lunch. It’s just a way to get people out and down to the park,” he said, noting the radio station gets sponsors for it.
Plummer said his office would check the books and make sure there were no conflicts, but since those days are on Wednesday it shouldn’t be a problem. If there is a conflict, Zimmerman said Willie would move its date.
“I think it’s a good thing. It gives people an option to come down to the park and eat a free lunch. It’s been very successful,” Plummer said.
After the board approved the Willie Chili Days, Plummer told them the Warsaw Community Schools Food Nutrition Services wants to do its free lunch program at Bixler Park again this summer like it has for the last 11 summers. In 2016, it served between 100 to 150 lunches per day at Bixler. In June alone, reading from information he received from WCS, Plummer said the program served 2,637 in 19 days.
“It’s a need for the community and it’s great that we can have this in the park available for people who aren’t fortunate to have a meal. We haven’t had any issues with pick up or garbage after the event. It’s just a good thing. It’s their 11th year that they did it. They used to do it at multiple sites, but the last few years they just did it at Bixler Park and it just seems to work well there,” Plummer said.
Bill Baldwin, park board member, asked if the kids just showed up or if they had to register for it.
“They can just show up for a free meal. Adults can eat for a small fee,” Plummer replied.
Baldwin asked how they figured how many people were going to show up for the lunches. Plummer said they don’t, they just brought the meals.
“I’ve never heard of them running out,” Haines said.
The park board approved for the program to be in the park. The Park Department does not contribute financially to it.
In other business, the Park Board:
• Approved three resolutions regarding the five-year master plan, including a resolution to adopt the Warsaw Parks Master Plan 2017-2021; a request for eligibility to participate in the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Program administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; and one regarding the Assurance of Accessibility and Compliance with Architectural Barriers Act, the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Heard from Plummer that the parks’ new tractor has been ordered and should be arriving any day.
He also reported a few of the new banners hanging up in Central Park last year showed some tears on the side and there was some rust on the grommets. The company they were purchased from, Big Picture Imagery, is redoing all of those at no charge. New material is being used for the new ones, Plummer said, and he will pick them up Monday.
His last item was that the Pike Lake campground opens April 15.
• Heard from Recreation Director Sheila Wieringa that the headlining artist for the Blues & BBQ concert July 7 is Tinsley Ellis. On April 3, Willie 103.5 will announce the country concert headliners and WRSW 107.3 will announce the classic rock headliner.
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