Mishawaka Parks & Recreation News
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Welcome to the Department of Parks & Recreation. We want you to enjoy all the beautiful parks in Mishawaka, as well as the resources we have available to you, including this website. It is our hope that you will find the information here useful. Please feel free to email your suggestions or comments to us.
• The BackBeats Beatles Tribute Show - March 5th
After a lengthy and extensive search through a large field of qualified Golf Pro candidates, Mr. Rick Frye joins the city staff as Eberhart Petro Golf Course, new Golf Pro.
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Rick comes to Mishawaka from his most recent position as Head Golf Pro in Laporte Indiana, Beechwood Golf Course. Rick graduated from Colorado State University in 1980 and has been married to his wife Marsha for 29 years. Rick has three daughters and one son: Katie and Tanner, both graduates from University of Georgia, Julianne is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky and Caroline is eleven years old and is in the 6th grade. Rick was chosen as the new Pro for his ambition, dedication and commitment to the sport of golf. Rick’s demeanor and proven customer service track record has proven to be a great fit to the community of Mishawaka. Welcome Rick!
The City of Mishawaka continues to flourish in its parks and recreational services because of its volunteers. If you are a current volunteer, volunteered in the past, and or wish to volunteer in the future in any fashion, please contact the Park Department so your information can be updated.
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New software programming will soon be implemented into the Park Department administration office, and this latest technology will provide a better means of communication to all of our valued volunteers.
The Active Network Software System will soon be implemented into the Park Department Customer Service Center. This program is aimed to better service our park customers from the comforts of their home on their own personal computer. Whether you want to sign up for a sporting event, rent a facility, sign up for a class at Battell Center, purchase a season pass, volunteer or just simply learn more about what is offered through the Park Department, the Active Network will make your next park experience an easy and simple process. Additional information will be advertised and marketed as we move forward, so stay tuned to the launching date of this new and exciting customer service program.
The City of Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Board will be holding a neighborhood meeting to discuss potential improvements to Hillis Hans Park. The meeting will be held on Monday, May 10, 2010 @ 6:00pm in the Community Room at Battell Community Center, 904 N. Main Street. The intent of the meeting is to obtain input so that a master improvement plan can be created for the park.
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Topics to be discussed include, but are not limited to:
- Identifying a desired location for a pavilion
- Parking in the neighborhood and if it is desirable to construct a small parking lot in the park
- The potential removal of the tennis courts
- Planting trees along the street and other landscape enhancements
- The need/desire for adding/replacing play equipment
- Adding a sidewalk in the park to improve handicapped accessibility to equipment/restrooms
Given the cost of improvements, implementation would likely occur in phases as funding is available. One possibility to accelerate the funding is tied to planned improvements to Parkview Terrace apartments. The owners of the apartment complex are seeking to obtain tax credits to upgrade/renovate the apartments. As part of their application, they receive additional points on their application based on the City’s commitment to perform improvements to the park. The City desires to see the apartments upgraded. If this happens, the City may be able to use a separate TIF (Tax Increment Finance) funding source to fund a portion of the improvements.
We appreciate your input! If you are not able to attend, but would like to provide input, please send written comments via mail or e-mail to:
Ken Prince, City Planner
City of Mishawaka
600 East Third Street
Mishawaka, IN 46544
E-mail: kprince@mishawaka.in.gov
The City of Mishawaka and the Parks and Recreation Department are proud to announce that the St. Joe Valley Master Gardeners have adopted Kate’s Garden. The St. Joseph Valley Master Gardeners Association will provide an Outdoor Learning Center for our community. This will be accomplished through frequent garden workshops and presentations, as well as hands-on training in how to plant and maintain the current garden beds. Master Gardeners will be present at all events to answer questions and to identify plants in the garden.
The St. Joseph Valley Master Gardeners Association has provided a brochure with more information about the adoption of Kate's Garden as well as their schedule of events, which includes dates and information on various classes and workshops open to the public. What a great way to welcome spring here in the Princess City!
This year Summerfest will be unlike any Summerfest we have seen in the past 27 years, and yet the same. As we all know, the Mishawaka Avenue Bridge is under construction and according to St. Joseph County, is not expected to be completed until December 2010. Because of the construction it is impossible to have Summerfest at Merrifield Park. So, we are very excited to announce that we have decided to move Summerfest to Kamm Island for Summerfest 27 for a one day event this year on June 26th. Summerfest will be in a different location but we plan to bring you the same great community event that you have enjoyed for the past 27 years! To take a look at all the information we currently have available regarding this year's Summerfest celebration please click on Summerfest in the menu to the left.
Summer is here, and the City of Mishawaka and the Parks and Recreation Department want to help make this summer fun for you and your family.
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Starting Friday, May 28th you can visit our splashpads at Twin Branch Park, Rose Park, and Battell Park for FREE (Merrifield splashpad is closed until future notice due to the bridge construction). Splashpad hours are 10am-8pm daily. Merrifield Pool opens for the summer on Saturday, May 29th at 12pm (weather permitting) and will be open seven days a week from 12pm-4pm and 6pm-9pm. Mary Gibbard Pool will not open until Monday, June 7th and will remain open Mon-Sat 12pm-6pm. You can view all the Pool Fees and Charges and get information on all the various parks and facilities by visiting the Parks and Recreation page.
Summerfest 27 will take place on June 26th at Kamm Island.
Don't forget about our Summer Concert Series! Check the Special Events calendar for specifics.
A special thanks to Keith Cooper for providing pictures!
Summerfest 2010 5K Run results are now available:
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- 5K Timed Walk - Category Results
- 5K Timed Walk - Overall Results
- 5K Run - Category Results
- 5K Run - Overall Results
Summerfest 27 will be held Saturday, June 26th
This year Summerfest will be unlike any Summerfest we have seen in the past 27 years, and yet the same. As we all know, the Mishawaka Avenue Bridge is under construction and according to St. Joseph County, is not expected to be completed until December 2010. Because of the construction it is impossible to have Summerfest at Merrifield Park. So, we are very excited to announce that we have decided to move Summerfest to Kamm Island (map) for Summerfest 27 for a one day event this year on June 26th. Summerfest will be in a different location but we plan to bring you the same great community event that you have enjoyed for the past 27 years!
Summerfest 27 will start off the day with the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast and the 5KWalk/Run (see the brochure or map for more information). There will Arts and Crafts, food vendors, free entertainment throughout the day, kids activities and games. The Main Stage Inc. will perform the Wedding Singer on stage for two live performances (one on Friday and one on Saturday afternoon).
Summerfest 27 will end the day with its signature free open air concert and free fire works at dusk.
Here is a list of the 2010 Summerfest Schedule Highlights:
Pancake Breakfast: 7:00 a.m.: Large Hospitality Tent
Information Tent and Summerfest Merchandise Sales: Open 8:00 a.m.
History Tent: Open on display at 9:00 a.m.
5k Run and Fun Walk (map): 8:00 a.m. on city River-walk. Race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. in Beutter Park. See the brochure for more information.
5k Run and Fun Walk Awards: Large Hospitality Tent approx 9:30 a.m.
Food Vendors, open for business at 9:00 a.m.
Games and Kids Activities: Open for business at 10:00 a.m.
Arts, Crafts, Organic Market, and Merchant Row opens at 9:00 a.m.
Small Hospitality Tent Entertainment: Begins at 10:30 a.m.-6:15 p.m. and will feature various live music entertainments.
Main Stage Premiere Music Concert Event: 1:00-p.m. Encore matinee performance of “The Wedding Singer” performed by Main Stage Inc, 7:15 p.m. Vehikle, 8:30 p.m. Headliner Performance: “Face to Face” a tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel.
Fireworks: At Dark approx 10:25 p.m. (Best view Beutter Park Event Lawn)
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