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Jim Thompson of Kelainey's Ice Cream Shop recently expressed concern about running the concession stand at Center Park last summer, the Warsaw parks board heard Tuesday. Concession sales are contracted out each year.
According to superintendent Jon Garber, Thompson indicated the rough crowd that hangs out in the Center Park area dampened sales. Parents of some of Thompson's employees have asked their kids not work the concession stand for the restaurant.
Supervisor Larry Plummer Jr. agreed with that assessment, calling the 30 to 50 characters in daily attendance, riff-raff.
"It's always the same group," Plummer said. "The situation almost warrants a park policeman."
Board members Cathy Folk and Bill Baldwin were quick to agree.
"We aren't going to put up with this anymore," Folk said.
Although hired college students do patrol the park on bicycles, they have no arresting powers.
Baldwin asked if there are rules regarding park patron's behavior. Garber said there were as part of city ordinance.
"Well, we need a full-time patrolman," Baldwin said. "We're not going to tolerate this."
Members agreed to send a formal request to Warsaw Police Chief Steve Foster for an officer assigned to the area. Copies of the request will be sent to the mayor and city council.
The board decided to keep the Red Cross rental of Center Lake Pavilion at $50 per blood drive, usually the second Monday of each month. Other non-profit organizations will be charged the new rate of $125.
Activity director Janelle Wilson presented this year's parks and recreation guide. She said about 800 people attended last weekend's Easter Egg Extravaganza, gathering 1,800 "eggs."
She said Mantis Skate Park was open with a new staff. Hours, while school is in session, are 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
In other business the board:
• Heard Pike Lake Campground opened Tuesday with motor homes waiting for the gates to open.
• Heard the policy preventing political signage on park property will be enforced. Some candidates have placed signs in parks. They were contacted and their signs removed.
• Baldwin asked if the board couldn't be expanded to more members. He, Folk and Bob Richmond attended with Toby Sumpter and John Sadler absent. He thought if there were more members, more people would attend.
Garber said there were statues regarding the number of park board members and he would have the information at the next meeting.
