A park at Gateway Grove is part of the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department’s special projects plans for 2024.
At its meeting Tuesday, the Parks Board heard a rundown of the plans from Superintendent Larry Plummer.
“We’ve had discussions with Cary Groninger and the development team over there, and I think we’re moving in the right direction with that to have a park on the west side of town,” said Plummer of establishing a facility near Groninger’s housing development, Gateway Grove, located on North Union Street at the site of the former Madison Elementary School and Gateway Education Center.

    Parker Shoemaker (R) is the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department’s team member of the month for November. With him is Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Larry Plummer. Photo Provided.
  

Plummer said Groninger plans to donate playground equipment for the park, with the land also being donated. Leaders said after the meeting the park would be around half an acre.
Other plans for the year include putting in a recreational volleyball court at Center Lake beach and installing benches along the Center Lake Recreational Trail.
In other business, the board:
• Watched Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose swear in Board member Michelle Boxell for a four-year term.
• Approved having Steve Haines and Larry Ladd serve as board president and vice president, respectively, for another year.
• Heard from Plummer he was still working with resident Judy Heiman about finding a solution to pickleball noise at Kelly Park. She’s found a noise expert who may come in the spring to give advice about sound mitigation.

    Andy Wright (R) is the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department’s team member of the month for December. With him is Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Larry Plummer. Photo Provided
  

• Heard from Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer an estimated 1,000 people came out for Light Up the Night in December.
• Heard from Schaefer there are still 90 tickets left for the Daddy’s Little Sweetheart Dance with the theme of Denim and Diamonds set for 6-8 p.m. Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion. Sales end at 4 p.m. Jan. 24.
People may register online by going to secure.rec1.com/IN/warsaw-in/catalog.
• Heard Young Tiger Football donated $2,132 from concession sales at Central Park’s Christmas lights display back for the lights display.
• Heard that Parker Shoemaker and Andy Wright were the parks’ department team members of the month for November and December, respectively.
The board’s next meeting is 5:15 p.m. Feb. 20 at Warsaw City Hall.