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The city of Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board heard the 2027 budget proposal and discussed updates to the skate park during a meeting on Tuesday.
Superintendent of Parks Larry Plummer presented the 2027 budget proposals. In the proposals, it was stated that after the human resources department did a workforce study, that adding an admin assistant and a maintenance laborer was necessary. Plummer stated the wage committee agreed that adding those two employees would help prevent burnout with other employees, along with helping out with other important jobs that the Parks and Recreation Department does every day.
In the proposed budget, they were able to have a slight decrease in what they would need compared to last year’s budget. Plummer stated they were trying “to toe the line and use funds appropriately.”
“I was not expecting a decrease at all,” stated Board President Larry Ladd. “It’s amazing that you’ve been able to do this.”
Board Vice President Michelle Boxell asked if they would have to raise the entry fees for several of the events, to which Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer answered that they would try their best not to, but if needed would only raise them $2 to $3.
The board approved the proposed budgets for the parks and recreation fund, the non-reverting budget, and the non-reverting capital fund. These budget proposals will go before the Warsaw Common Council on Monday, Aug. 3.
“Construction has started on the community skate park,” said Plummer. “Crews arrived last week … the geogrid is down and installed … We are well on our way.”
Plummer stated they have looked into signage for the park, including sponsor mentions, skate park rules, and the Liz Frazier sign. Boxell asked if the Liz Frazier dedication will be at a different time from the skate park dedication, to which Plummer stated that they would be at the same time. He would have more information when it gets closer to opening day.
Team Members Of The Month For May And June
“Dylan (Thomas) is the May team member of the month. He is a zero-drama employee, head down, and gets the job done no matter what it may be,” said Maintenance Director Shaun Gardner.
Thomas’ job last year was to clean the restrooms at the parks and noted it is a “job that can burn you out.” He stated that each member has now, during the slow season, taken shifts to help out.
For June, the mow crew was elected as the team members of the month. Gardner stated that each crew member is a hard worker, and “really hit a groove to make the parks look great.” He noted that they are all valuable members of the team and can always be relied on to get their job done.
Reports
Gardner gave the maintenance report, noting that:
The maintenance team has been working with Schaefer’s team in helping to set up and tear down for the concerts, along with some team members being lifeguards during Wipe Out events.
The maintenance staff has topped off all the playgrounds with engineered wood fiber, and “everything is up to snuff,” according to Gardner.
Dead trees have been removed from Lucerne and McKinley Parks and will be replaced with new trees.
The carpenters have been helping out at the shooting range and doing a big project with them. They also helped the city's street department fix a door frame that was damaged by some equipment.
They have been keeping up with all the ongoing maintenance with all the parks, along with keeping the flowers watered that are downtown.
Schaefer noted that she does have a smaller team this year and appreciates all the help that the maintenance team has provided. She also noted in the recreation report:
They have had four different library stories and reached 287 participants.
During the two Wipe Out dates, they have seen 554 participants in the water, which does not include the other 300-400 that were on the beach.
The Summer Rock Concert with Great White saw about 5,000 people in Central Park.
Imagination Station has seen 118 participants, which is a little higher than last year.
They are seeing about 50 participants at each of the paddleboarding and canoeing events.
They were able to count 425 participants for the luau in the park.
The Country Concert saw around 1,500 participants, which Schaefer noted was great considering the weather. Plummer explained that they were in contact with the weather station, and were watching to see what would happen, but was glad it was still able to happen because “it was a great concert.”
Upcoming events include the Heartland Sings at Lucerne Park on Friday, July 24; Wipe Out will be Saturday, July 25; and the Family Carnival will be from 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 31.
The next meeting of the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board will be at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18.
