(left to right) Claire Hollowell, 5, Corbin Hollowell, 8, and Dalton Ousley, 9, enjoy a day at Kiddieland Park, on Center Lake in Warsaw.
(photo by Alyssa Richardson)

As weather begins to warm up and the summer sun begins to peek through Kosciusko County skies, residents of Warsaw are beginning to take to the beach for a day of family fun.

Though it may seem daunting for parents to plan fun, enriching and safe activities for their children, many free opportunities for daytime entertainment exist right here in Warsaw. From swimming at Center or Pike lakes, traveling by canoe, enjoying a free lunch provided by Warsaw Community Schools, playing at local parks or even participating in an extreme sport at Mantis Skate Park, the city of Warsaw boasts several options to entertain your child this summer.

Elijah Joseph King, 3 years old, and his great-grandfather Bill Park, of Warsaw, spend the day enjoying the cool waters and sunshine at Center Lake, Warsaw.

Swimming
With the arrival of summer sun comes the arrival of swimsuits, goggles and sunscreen. As temperatures rise lake goers are making their way to beaches throughout the city of Warsaw. Center Lake, located off Detroit Street (SR 15), Warsaw, and Pike Lake, located at 1009 E. Arthur St., Warsaw began seeing visitors when beaches opened in late May.

Both lakes offer beach access for swimming, vending machines and restrooms to visitors. Though many parents may be wary of allowing their children close to the lake’s waters, both Center and Pike lakes feature lifeguards to help ensure safety while swimming. Lifeguards will be be stationed at the lake during swimming hours throughout the summer.

For more information about lake amenities and swim hours click HERE.

(photo by Warsaw Parks and Recreation)

Canoeing
Though many enjoy being in the water, those who wish to traverse Center Lake while staying dry may do so. Warsaw Parks and Recreation is providing  community canoeing to people of all ages (See more information). Canoes will launch from Center Lake Beach at the east side of the swimming pier behind the pavilion.

No registration is required and the event is completely free to the public. An annual waiver and rules sheet must be signed by each participant and those under 18 must have a parents signature to participate. Canoes are first-come, first-served and may be used in timed increments. All equipment and life vests necessary to participate will be provided. All participants will be briefed on safety measures prior to canoeing. Canoeing will be supervised by Warsaw Parks and Recreation staff.

The parks department is also offering free canoeing clinics. (See more information)

For more information call 574-372-9554.

(left to right) Brandon Dunn, 11, and McKenzie Dunn, 12, enjoy a packed lunch from McDonald’s while at Kiddieland Park. Starting Thursday, June 6, parents will be able to take their children to receive a free lunch provided by WCS at several parks and schools around Warsaw.
(photo by Alyssa Richardson)

Free Lunches
The Warsaw Community Schools Food and Nutrition Services department announced in mid May that the school system would be participating in the Summer Food Service Program (see related story).

According to WCS, free meals will be made available to all children 18 years of age and under and to persons over 18 years who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. Free meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children. There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Free meals will be provided Monday through Friday at several different sites starting Thursday, June 6. Lunches will be served from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Winona Lake Park, Hideaway Hills Mobile Home Park, and Bixler Park at Center Lake. Merrywood Mobile will also offer free lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 820 Park Ave., Warsaw from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

In addition, the school system will also feature free lunches and breakfasts at several of the school locations including Edgewood Middle School, Warsaw Community High School and Washington Elementary School. For a full list of where lunches and breakfasts will be distributed and times click HERE.

(photo by Warsaw Parks and Recreation)

Skateboarding at Mantis Park
For those looking to enjoy summer aboard their skateboards, Mantis Skate Park, located at 400 Little League Dr., Warsaw (on Boggs Campus), offers a free, supervised venue to do so. The skate park opened on Monday and will be available for public use until Sunday, Aug. 4.

The park was renovated in 2008 with a new Rhino® ramp system which was provided through support from the K21 Health Foundation. Both skateboards and inline skates are welcome at the park and helmets are required at all times. To be allowed to skate an annual waiver and emergency contact form must be on file.

For those looking to test their skills Mantis Skate park also hosts two separate competitions during the summer. The Big Trick Contest will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 29. Cost of entrance is $3 per skater. The annual competition will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 27, and entry fee is $5.

Mantis Skate park is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. The park will be closed on Thursday, July 4, in observation of Independence Day. The skate park also offers visitors several “late skates” throughout the summer. The next late skate will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information on Mantis Skate Park and to access the waiver and rules and emergency information forms click HERE.

The entertainment opportunities for summer fun throughout the city of Warsaw are vast. From summer concerts to camping at Pike Lake, there are several other options for entertainment available to the public. For more information on what is available to entertain your family this summer visit the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department website.