Special Parks Meeting Garners Little Input On Future Plans
By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — The Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department has received 396 responses to the public survey asking for input regarding park facilities, programs and activities.
This is about 100 more responses than the previous survey five years ago, according to Deb Schmucker, president and CEO of Cornerstone Planning Design Solutions.
Even so, Schmucker would like to see more.
“A community this size, we’d love to have more than 400 people give us input,” Schmucker said.
The deadline for the survey has been extended to June 1.
The survey can be accessed through the city website and Warsaw Parks Facebook page. Hard copies are available at the parks office.
The parks department held a public meeting related to the next five-year Master Plan Tuesday, May 18, in hopes of obtaining more public input at that time.
Only one person showed up for the public meeting, stating she was just there to observe.
Schmucker said a strategic master plan provides a roadmap for the future by evaluating existing park facilities and conditions, reviewing community needs, changes and growth, evaluating industry trends, providing an opportunity for public input and prioritizing plans for future and existing parks and programs.
The plan illustrates the continuing effort of the park board to provide recreational opportunities for residents.
Since no members of the public were there to speak, Schmucker asked if any parks board members would care to comment on what they feel are the strengths of the Warsaw Parks & Recreation Department.
Board President Steve Haines said the number of parks and programs available in Warsaw is “amazing.”
He praised Warsaw Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer, Maintenance Director Shaun Gardner, Recreation Director Sheila Wieringa and Administrative Assistant Heather Vogts, saying they are “the nucleus of why our parks are so good.”
“These four people have done an outstanding job for us for years. I’m proud of you,” Haines said.
Parks Board Member Jill Beehler said having well-kept, diverse parks in many different areas is a strength.
Board Member Michelle Boxell said the parks feel safe, something that hasn’t always been the case.
“That’s something that was identified, I think, probably in another strategic plan at some point in saying maybe people don’t feel safe in this park or in that area or whatever and this administration has done something about it and I think all of our parks feel pretty safe,” Boxell said.
Board Member Noemi Ponce said she appreciates the fact that park-sponsored activities are available for different socio-economic backgrounds.
In addition to discussion about the Five Year Master Plan, Plummer announced that the parks department has been awarded a grant through KCCRVC to be used for kayak kiosks at Center Lake and Pike Lake. The grant is in the amount of $29,660.
Once grant acceptance is approved at the Warsaw Board of Works meeting Friday, the process will move forward.
“We’re really excited about that,” Plummer said. “We’ll be the first ones in Indiana to have a kayak kiosk where you can actually download the app, put your information in online, your payment and everything, the app then will unlock the Bluetooth lock, you pull out your kayak, your lifejacket, your paddle, you go out and use it and then once you return the items and lock it back up, the transaction is complete.”
The kiosks will be placed in well-lit locations and will be monitored by cameras, Plummer said.
In other news:
- A memorial plaque will be placed and a tree planted on the east side of the Kelly Park pickleball courts to honor the late Mike Metzger, a man described as the originator of pickleball in the Warsaw area.
- The next regular meeting will be 5:15 p.m. June 15.