By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE — Winona Lake Town Council took several actions Tuesday, March 26, in regard to the final phase of Limitless Park, including approving the park department applying for grants to help fund the construction.

The vision of Limitless Park is to create a place that embraces the beauty of the surrounding environment and engages everyone in “limitless” play. The master plan utilizes universallyaccessible equipment and infrastructure that goes beyond minimal Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines to inclusive interaction for people of all abilities, according to a news release from the Park Department.

The final phases of completion of the park will include renovation of the current playground, a variety of playscapes, environmentally considerate construction, a picnic shelter, restrooms and surfacing, ramps and pathways that enable people of all abilities to play sidebyside.

The funding for the final phase will be primarily through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Land Water Conservation Fund and the K21 Health Foundation. Tuesday, the council approved for the Park Department to apply for the grants. The total cost of the project is $1.25 million.

In preparation of the completion of Limitless Park, the council also approved two transfer of funds resolutions.

The council approved transferring $125,000 from the riverboat fund to the Limitless Park capital improvements fund and $150,000 from the Limitless Park donation fund to the Limitless Park capital improvements fund.

The completion date is estimated to be in the late summer. The park and playground will be accessible during construction, though certain areas may have limited access at certain times. The beach and SplashPad will not be affected by construction.

The gravel overflow parking lot, on Park Avenue just over Cherry Creek Bridge, will be closed to the public starting April 9 until further notice in order to be used as prestaging construction area, said Park Department Director Holly Hummitch.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be at 1 p.m. April 9.

Also during the meeting, the council held a public hearing for $10,000 in additional appropriations to be moved into the Parks and Recreation fund.

Town Manager Craig Allebach said what happened was, he believes later last year, the council did a transfer from the Parks and Recreation Summer Help fund into the Park and Recreation fund. That money never actually transferred, so since “we’re in a new year,” that money went back into the town’s general fund. The council then had to do an additional appropriation “to clean up what was passed but was never actually transferred in 2023.”

The council approved and adopted the additional appropriation.

In other business, the council:

• Heard ClerkTreasurer Heather James offered Diane Wulliman a position in her office and Wulliman accepted. James asked the council to approve the hiring, which they did.

• Approved James to be able to hire a third person for the clerk’s office if so needed.

• Approved establishing a K9 fund. James said it was recommended by the State Board of Accounts the town establish a fund for any grant it receives.

• Heard the fire department is looking to replace all of the department’s air packs, which will cost a little over $200,000 to do so and is applying for federal matching grants. The council approved the department applying for the grants.