Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE – The town of Mentone surpassed its goal for a crowdfunding campaign grant for phase two of the Mentzer Park upgrade project.
The goal for the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) CreatINg Places crowdfunding campaign was to raise $50,000. Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak said Wednesday at the town council meeting that $62,402 was raised during the campaign.
By meeting the goal, the project will receive critical matching funds to bring several high-demand amenities to life, including pickleball courts, a nine-hole disc golf course, a quarter-mile walking path, accessible parking and a finished pavilion with a kitchenette.
Yaprak said she wanted to thank several former Mentone residents, who communicated frequently to others about the status of the park “and they’ve really been significant donors.”
Yaprak and Council President Jill Gross both thanked all the businesses that participated in the CreatINg Places crowdfunding campaign. Gross also thanked Yaprak and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Sharie Davis for going “way above helping us” with the campaign grant.
In other business, the council:
• Heard from Councilman Tim Croy and Town Marshal Keaton Schopf that the Egg Festival went well.
• Heard the Memorial Day service went well and was moved to the Bell Memorial Museum due to rain.
• Heard Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd took the wheels off the cannon at the cemetery and will get a price to get them fixed or repaired.
• Heard Yaprak will go to an Indiana League of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers training July 12-16 in Michigan City. The clerk-treasurer’s office will stay open during that time.
• Heard the Mentone Makers Market and Antique Fair will be the second and fourth Saturday in June.
• Heard Project Ebenezer will hold a pickleball tournament on July 18 and 19 at Limitless Park, Winona Lake. Registration ends July 14. Cost is $50 per player.
• Approved a quote for $5,500 from Dixon Engineering to clean and inspect the water tower.
