BOW Approves Request To Replace McKinley Park Equipment
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
The playground at McKinley Park in Warsaw will receive a facelift. During Friday’s Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety meeting, board members Mayor Ernie Wiggins and Charlie Smith approved a request to replace playground equipment at the park. Larry Plummer, Warsaw Parks Department director, said all playground equipment in the Warsaw park system has been evaluated for safety, categorized noting deficiencies and then prioritized. The 21-year-old equipment at McKinley Park, 1013 E. Main St., Warsaw, purchased in 1990, was high on the priority list as needing immediate attention, Plummer said. There is $40,000 in the 2011 budget that was approved by Warsaw City Council to replace the equipment. Upon removal of the old equipment, the equipment will be replaced with two new play stations of Burke playground equipment furnished by Snider and Associates Inc. for $24,267.79. In other business, the board approved a statement of understanding between Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department and Warsaw Little League to use the league’s concession building as a tornado and storm shelter. The facility will be used by the parks department’s Boggs Office and skate park facilities. Staci Young, parks activities director, said the parks department does not have a sufficient shelter at its Boggs facility in instances of poor weather. “With many kids and teens participating in programs and the skate park, I felt it was important to find a safe shelter within walking distance,” Young said. The board approved a $275 contract for family entertainment for the Family Carnival Aug. 5 from 7 to 8 p.m. in Central Park; a $200 contract for a juggler for the family carnival; and a $175 contract for a balloon artist. The board also approved a request from Kosciusko County Community Fair to close Smith Street between Bronson Street and Scott Street during the week of July 11-16 from 6 p.m. to midnight on days where overflow parking is necessary at Lakeview Middle School. Fair officials will close Smith Street between Bronson Street and Maple Avenue nightly from 6 p.m. to midnight during the fair for the safety of the officers conducting traffic control for the fairgrounds. Wiggins asked Sheal Dirck, former Kosciusko County Community Fair president, to notify property owners near the temporary closures. Dirck said he will contact the property owners next week. A free shuttle service for fair patrons will shuttle fair attendees from Lakeview Middle School to the fairgrounds and back. The route the shuttle will take is Smith Street from the fairgrounds to Fairlane Drive to Little Eagle Drive to Lakeview Middle School and back to the fairgrounds. The board also approved temporary street closures Aug. 5 for the Shrine Parade event in downtown Warsaw from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The board approved temporarily closing the corner of Market and Columbia streets to the corner of Market and High streets. On Aug. 6, there will be Downtown Days with a BMX show, Big Wheel Race, and Downtown Criterium Cycling event from noon to 9 p.m. in downtown Warsaw. Also on Aug. 6, the board approved for the temporary closing of Center Street between Lake and Indiana streets, Lake Street between Center and Market streets, Market Street between Lake and Indiana streets, Indiana Street between Market and Center streets, and Buffalo Street between the alley south of B-Mac’s and Market Street. The board also approved temporarily closing South Buffalo Street for one block between Market and Jefferson streets from noon Aug. 5 to 10 a.m. Aug. 7 for Rex’s Rendezvous Breast Cancer Benefit. The benefit features a beer tent, motorcycle show and battle of the bands.The board also approved Warsaw Fire Department seeking quotes for the purchase of two support and utility vehicles. The vehicles have been budgeted for 2011 in the fire department’s equipment replacement fund. The board approved a $1,537.04 bi-weekly salary for Kelly Geiger, Warsaw Police Department deputy clerk, who has undergone a six-month review.
