Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The city of Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board heard about the renewal of the summer school lunch program during their monthly meeting Tuesday.
Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer shared the letter he received from Shannon Dellinger, assistant director of Warsaw Community Schools' Food and Nutrition Services. The letter asked for permission to continue offering the free lunches at Bixler Park, beginning no earlier than June 1, and ending around July 24. Plummer remarked on how it is the 20th summer they will help this program.
Board President Larry Ladd asked if this was the program where people could purchase a meal, to which Plummer stated that yes, anyone over 18 can purchase a meal for themselves and those under 18 would get their meal for free. This was approved.
The team member of the month is Kyler Denney. Maintenance Director Shaun Gardner stated Denney has shown outstanding team spirit, has done a great job with assisting with the refurbishing projects and has been learning how to weld. Gardner stated that it is always nice to have someone willing to learn new skills. Gardner congratulated Denney on being the team member of the month for February and expressed how the department is happy to have him.
Plummer also said the department will know by Thursday if they will receive the K21 Foundation Grant and will continue with contractors from there.
Reports
Gardner said all the picnic tables, saw-horse tables and stage risers have been refurbished. They are still working on the park benches. He also remarked that the maintenance department is working with the Biblical Gardens to refurbish the teak benches that are 30 to 35 years old.
Gardner commented the staff was able to get outside and deal with the leaves in Lucerne, replace parking bumpers at Central Park and were out shoveling and salting this morning.
“Did you have to put the snowplow back on?” asked Ladd.
“We put one plow back on to scare the snow away,” joked Gardner.
Recreation Director Stephanie Schaefer reported it had been a busy couple of weeks. The recreation department hosted the following events and announced upcoming ones:
• Free arts and crafts day was March 11, and they saw 33 participants.
• The Bob Ross paint event was Saturday and was a full class.
• The park leprechaun hid 20 golden nuggets in all the parks. Schaefer noted that only six have been turned in.
• This morning, they had Imagination Station and had 55 participants.
• There will be a full Senior Paint Class today.
• Tickets for the mother/son dance will go on sale Monday. There will only be 100 tickets to sell.
For April, Schaefer noted that the following events will be happening:
• The Easter Egg hunt will be held April 1 and 2.
• From 7:20-7:40 a.m. April 1, they will be announcing the country and rock concerts for this summer.
• An animal show will be from 6-7 p.m. April 8.
• They are bringing back the chocolate class. It will have two classes from 2-3 p.m. and then from 7-8 p.m. April 9, and are already filling up.
• The ceramics and popcorn class will be April 10.
• Another Imagination Station will be April 14.
• There will also be another Senior Paint Class on April 14.
Schaefer remarked she has hired staff, and has their schedule done for the summer.
The next meeting will be at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, possibly still at the Warsaw Police Training Center.
