(Photos provided)

At the March 17 Winona Lake Town Council meeting, Erin Porter and a few other members of the Winona Lake Limitless Park Committee appeared before the council to provide an update on the progress of the Limitless Park project.

“It’s been awhile since you’ve gotten an update,” Porter said, taking the podium at Winona Lake Town Hall. “I just want to say thank you.”

The last time the council received an update was during the meeting in May2014. At the time Porter was concerned about raising funding for Phase I of the project. Last night, Porter provided financial documents showing that substantial funding has been raised since the last update.

The project has earned more than $814,000 in donations (total revenue of $924,684.33), and covered the cost of Phase I.

Furthermore, Porter announced that there would be a soft opening and ribbon cutting for Phase I on May 15, during the annual Fat and Skinny Tire Fest. Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach reported that workers are working on the splash pad. He said the fixtures are installed, and there’s still a lot of electrical work to do. Phase I of the Limitless Park is expected to be in full operation by Memorial Day, and the committee is still expecting the entire project to be completed in 2016.

While the Limitless Park project seems to be on track, Porter did express a need for additional funding. More than $1.2 million is needed to complete the project.

“I’m feeling like the underdog right now,” Porter lamented. She reported that the project was recently denied on three grant applications. She requested that the council members use their community connections to help open the door for more funding.

“If you know someone or a corp who would like to give towards the Winona Lake Limitless Park, I’m asking that you help us in that way,” Porter said. “I’m asking you guys to join forces. This has certainly been a mountain to climb over the last four years. Let’s rope up.”

Anyone interested in donating to the Limitless Park should download the Limitless Park Brochure or visit www.winonalake.net/limitlesspark.htm.

Porter also noted that the Winona Lake Limitless Park Committee would be joining forces with the Winona Lake Park Board so that they might be able to combine their resources.