New signs have been placed at local parks. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A memorial plaque will be placed and a tree planted at Kelly Park to honor a man described as the originator of pickleball in the Warsaw area.

The decision to allow the plaque and tree was made at a lengthy parks board meeting Tuesday, March 16. 

The plaque will feature an acrylic front that will display a picture of Mike Metzger, along with a narrative. Metzger founded and ran Pickleball Phanatics.

Last month, Winona Lake Town Council President Rick Swaim requested that the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board honor Metzger, who passed away in January 2021. Swaim originally suggested naming the Kelly Park pickleball courts after Metzger.

Warsaw Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer expressed that he would be more inclined to see a plaque hung at Kelly Park dedicated in Metzger’s memory.

The request was tabled until the March meeting to allow Swaim time to come up with a draft for the wording and design for a plaque.

Warsaw Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer

At Tuesday night’s meeting, Swaim said they would also like to plant a tree near the plaque in Metzger’s memory. According to Swaim, funding has been secured for the plaque. Kayla Metzger, Mike’s widow, will be purchasing the tree. 

Regarding the Ker Park project, Plummer told board members about a donation received from Connie Ker, who is one of the last remaining Kers left in town.

Connie Ker expressed interest in the park project and asked Plummer if there was anything still needed. Plummer responded that the overall plan for Ker Park included a playground for children ages 2-5 south of the playground for older kids that will be installed this spring. 

After reviewing the cost for playground equipment along with timbers and benches, the total came to $13,360, which Mrs. Ker “graciously donated.”

Plummer said that because of Ker’s kindness, they will be able to install that playground equipment with the other items and do it all at the same time.

Hire Park BMX Track Operator Dan Rumple attended Tuesday’s meeting with a request for lights at the track.

“This is our 35th year at Hire Park,” said Rumple, who has been there 24 of those years. “It’s been a pretty good run and I don’t see a finish line yet.”

Rumple said the program is growing and they are looking into potentially getting some bigger races back at Hire Park, along with having a beginner league this year to get more local kids involved.

He told board members he has a grant written to the K21 Health Foundation to purchase the lights with.

Rumple said he would like four 25-foot tall light poles with four lights that would be pointed at the track. 

“We’re not trying to illuminate the parking lot or surrounding area,” Rumple said.

The lights would only be used on race nights during the April-October race season and not past 10 p.m. Rumple was given approval for the lights, contingent upon receiving K21 grant funds.

Plummer gave an update on the revitalization of the Kelly Park pond. The project is set to happen in 2021.

The plan includes having a sustainable pond that will sustain fish, a fishing pier and a boardwalk around part of the pond.

“There could be a month or two or maybe even three when the park may not be accessible from the Fawley Street side, but we’ll certainly let the public know when that happens,” Plummer said.

The project is being done with stormwater funds. 

Plummer said he has been contacted by the developer of the former Madison Elementary School property, located on North Union Street. 

The developer inquired as to whether the parks board would have an interest in a section of that land that measures 78 x 142 x 35 x 154 feet as a potential park property. Plummer’s understanding is that the land would be donated for park development on the west side of town. 

“They’re just asking if the park board would be willing, if the city and the developer work this out, to accept this land for park use is what they’re asking me to get approval for tonight,” Plummer said. “Looking at dimensions, I think we could dress this up for a pretty nice park in there.”

This would likely be a late 2022 or 2023 project. 

Board members approved acceptance of the potential land acquisition subject to details being worked out with the city and developer.

In other news:

• Maintenance Director Shaun Gardner said new signs have been installed at local parks, with the exception of Nye Park, where a new sign will be added once the Buffalo Street project is complete.
• Beyer Park playground equipment will be replaced this year. Plummer asked board members to review three playground equipment options and return to the April meeting with recommendations.
• Wieringa said the parks department is hiring seasonal help at this time.
• The next meeting will be 5:15 p.m. April 20. 

A squirrel peeks out of a trash can at Central Park in Warsaw. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels