Work on Warsaw's 20th park is almost complete.
At its meeting on Tuesday at Warsaw City Hall, the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board heard an update on The Grove park from Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Larry Plummer.
The park is located behind the Downtown Warsaw YMCA near The Grove housing development.
Plummer noted the most recent parks five-year plan "called for a park on the west side of the city."
"The land was generously donated by Cary Groninger, and it's been officially deeded to the city, so we're able to start installing the playground, the benches," said Plummer. "Our parks department has already installed a multi-playground structure and a couple of spinners, (swings) and several benches, and all of that was also donated by Cary Groninger."
He noted the last part for the park equipment should be coming in soon.
"We've got wood fiber coming tomorrow to start to put in there, so everything's coming to plan," said Plummer. "I would say in the next couple of weeks we will see that be completed."
He noted the Groninger family will choose the official name of the park, which will be done by the board's next meeting on Sept. 17.
"Once that name is chosen, we'll do a parks sign, and we'll look forward to a ribbon-cutting for that new park," said Plummer.

    Young Tiger Football President Andy Owens gave challenge coins to the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board and parks’ staff at the board's meeting on Tuesday to thank them for their support of Fribley Field where the Young Tigers play. Pictured (L to R) are, front row: Owens; back row: Board Vice President Larry Ladd, Parks Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer, Board member Jill Beehler, Board member Noemi Ponce, Board President Steve Haines, Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer, Board member Michelle Boxell, Board member Juergen Voss and Parks Maintenance Director Shaun Gardner. Photo by Leah Sander, InkFreeNews
  

Parks Board member Jill Beehler noted it was "wonderful" for the Groninger family's donation of the land and equipment and suggested a thank-you note be sent to them.
In other business, the board:
• Approved allowing the nonprofit Hoosier Lakes Radio Club to use Bixler Park on June 28-29, 2025, for its field day event, which is "an annual nationwide activity where amateur radio operators set up temporary stations to demonstrate our capabilities and provide emergency communication exercises," said club member Greg Shafer.
• Heard a thank-you from Young Tiger Football President Andy Owens for the board and parks' department's "support ... and continuing support" of Fribley Field, where the group's football games occur.
Fribley Field recently marked its 20th anniversary. It's named after U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. David Fribley, a Warsaw Community High School graduate and football player, who was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Owens presented the board and parks staff with challenge coins, which bear the Marines' logo on one side and a reference to Fribley and Fribley Field on the other.
• Heard from Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer that a ribbon-cutting for the new StoryWalk on the Beyer Farm Trail will be at 10:15 a.m. Sept. 9.
She also said Touch-a-Truck will be noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 21, at Central Park and Fall Family Fun will be Oct. 4.
• Heard that Parks Maintenance Supervisor Adam Howard received the department's "Caught in the Act of Caring" award for June and maintenance employee Rob Moyer received the department's "Park Patron Comforter" award for July.
The board's next meeting is 5:15 p.m. Sept. 17 at City Hall.