the Profile Fall/Winter 2022

IPRF Hosts A Successful Fourth Annual Trivia Night

Article By Courtnie Pettigrew, IPRA

First Place: Lake County Team: Legends of Useless Knowledge

The Indiana Parks and Recreation Foundation held its fourth annual IPRF Trivia Night, Presented by Sinclair Recreation, on November 15, 2022, during the IPRA Conference and Expo. Teams comprised of park professionals, colleagues, and friends gathered to test their knowledge and compete for prizes, sponsored by Snider Recreation, and earn bragging rights.

IPRF Board President Dominic Cornett and Will Lacey, assisted by Dan McGuire hosted this 70’s themed Trivia Night to challenge competitors with brain busting questions. In addition to trivia, attendees had the chance to test their listening skills with a round of musical bingo.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the IPRF Scholarship Fund that supports current and future park professionals.

Congratulations to Lake County Parks & Recreation on a first-place finish!

A big thanks to our partners whose generosity made the event possible!

Presenting Sponsor:

Prize Sponsor: Snack Sponsor:

Event Sponsors:

Butler Fairman & Seufert, Inc.

Browning Day

iStrike by AnythingWeather

PlayPros

Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana

Rundell Ernstberger Associates

Indiana Park & Recreation Association 107 Logan Street Noblesville, IN 46060

317.219.5272

www.inpra.org

We Need Your Contributions

What makes The Profile a success is your input, ideas, experiences, and creativity. Please consider sharing your input with our network of IPRA members. Artwork and photographs are encouraged.

How to Submit

Articles and Photographs to: IPRA, The Profile 107 Logan Street Noblesville, IN 46060 317.219.5272

courtnie@inpra.org

Publication Schedule

Spring Content Deadline - February 17

March Distribution

Summer Content Deadline - May 12

July Distribution

Fall/Winter

Content Deadline - October 6 December Distribution

Advertising Sales

Felisha Canillas felisha@inpra.org

Editorial Committee

Courtnie Pettigrew

Felisha Canillas

Editor Courtnie Pettigrew

courtnie@inpra.org

Publisher Indiana Correctional Industries 317.955.6800

www.IndianaCorrectionalIndustries.com

Front Cover photo credit: Bluffton Parks–City of Wabash Parks; and Images throughout publication, attributed to: Freepik.com

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Mission Statement

The Indiana Park & Recreation Association advances healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship by providing education, professional development, resources and advocacy.

Vision Statement

2022 IPRA Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Becky Barrick-Higgins, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation

PAST PRESIDENT

Chip Orner, Franklin Parks

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Steve McDaniel, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation

SECRETARY / TREASURER

Travis Tranbarger, Brownsburg Parks

NORTHERN DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES

Chuck Reddinger, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation

SOUTHERN DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES

Brady Buckley, Columbus Parks & Recreation

Nathan Kane, Clarksville Parks & Recreation

AQUATICS REPRESENTATIVE

Jonathan Blake, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation

RECREATION & PROGRAMMING REPRESENTATIVE

Meghan Stritar

NATURAL RESOURCES

TRAILS & GREENWAYS REPRESENTATIVE

Greg Dickenson, Brownsburg Parks

NEW & YOUNG PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Charlie Elliott, Indy Parks & Recreation

CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES

Randy Royer, Hitchcock Design Group

Megan Miller, Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana

ELECTED OFFICIAL

Chuck Gardiner, NuToys Leisure Products, Inc.

IPRA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lisa Nye, Indiana Park & Recreation Association

IPRA STAFF

Courtnie Pettigrew, Membership & Events Coordinator Indiana Park & Recreation Association

Felisha Canillas, Development Coordinator

Indiana Park & Recreation Association

From the Executive Director

By Lisa D. Nye, Indiana Park & Recreation Association

The beginning of a new year always fills me with hope and excitement for the year to come, but I also take extra time to reflect on the successes of the previous year. I think back on the work that has been accomplished through the Association and the Foundation over the past year and I am proud of the accomplishments of both organizations. But I am especially proud and continually impressed by the outstanding work that each park and recreation professional does for their communities. Our members fuel our organization, and we are proud to celebrate your accomplishments in 2022.

One of my favorite events to reflect on is the IPRA Annual Conference and Expo. In November, more than 500 park and recreation professionals gathered in Indianapolis for the 2022 IPRA Annual Conference and Expo. Inside the historic Crowne Plaza Convention Center, attendees engaged in thought provoking education sessions, walked the exhibit hall floor where over 65 exhibitors showcased their latest products and services, and spent time together networking at social events.

We also made great strides in the last half of 2022 by advancing our efforts on a public awareness campaign. The goal of the public awareness campaign is to provide a toolkit to our members and park departments across the state of Indiana that can help attract talent to the field of parks and recreation, engage stakeholders in various park projects, and to inform the public of the importance and impact of parks. The first step of this project is to gather feedback and data. After establishing a steering committee and identifying a consulting firm to assist us with implementation, we kicked off the project by hosting four in-person focus group meetings throughout Indiana in October to solicit feedback from a variety of park and recreation professionals. Next, an interactive session at the 2022 Annual Conference and Expo served to both inform and gather information from attendees at-large. The feedback gathered allowed us to create a survey for all members to provide their input. The information collected from these various avenues will inform us of the type of research and data we will need to collect. The data will then be used to inform the marketing strategies we will use to create the toolkit. Stay tuned as we continue to move forward throughout this process and we ask that all members stay engaged – to have the best possible outcomes, your participation is critical!

Lastly, I’d like to recognize and thank Becky Barrick-Higgins for her leadership as the IPRA President in 2022. Becky has been engaged with IPRA since the 80s and she has served two terms as the IPRA President and chaired the conference committee three separate times. During her 2022 term, Becky has been instrumental in mobilizing the public awareness campaign and building a solid foundation for its future success. Under her leadership, the IPRA board of directors has also started the process of updating bylaws and bringing IPRA policies current. We look forward to Becky’s continued engagement with IPRA as she serves on the board as pastpresident, and chair of the steering committee for the public awareness campaign.

I am grateful for what 2022 brought us and excited to push forward into 2023! Cheers to the new year!

From the President

By Becky Barrick-Higgins, Bloomington Parks, 2022 IPRA President

Hard to believe this year is over and 2022 is in the books. As I reflect over the past year I can’t help but think how lucky IPRA has been. We are so fortunate to have an executive director and great staff to guide us and keep the association on track and operating with a fiscally sound budget. And yes, reserves have taken a hit, along with the economy, but IPRA will survive due to a good foundation, sound leadership, sponsors and vendors who are willing to contribute and of course, you...our members. So, thank you for your membership, interest, commitment and volunteer involvement. IPRA wouldn’t be here without each and every one of you. And, if this sounds like a recruitment or a call to action, it is. If you have ever thought of becoming more involved please make 2023 your year. If you want to hear about ways you can connect just call the office or speak to a board member. You will be glad you did.

Now, let’s take a minute to talk about our outstanding annual conference. I especially want to thank IPRA staff and the conference committee, including Leslie Brinson who served as conference chair, for all their dedication and hard work. Through their efforts the IPRA members who attended were able to learn, laugh, play, and network with vendors and other parks professionals. This year, we had a group of college students who attended and were engaged in sessions and conversations with speakers and parks staff from around the state. It was a great time. I also want to congratulate all those who were either nominated for or were the recipient of an award in one of the many categories. You are the best of the best and some well-deserved awards were handed out. And last, but certainly not least, a special thanks to Dominic Cornett, Dan McGuire, and Will Lacy who not only represented the IPRF, but also rocked the 70’s night trivia event in full costume. Great job guys…

During 2022 IPRA made big strides in updating the association’s bylaws, policies and other legal documents. The finalized versions should be ready in early 2023. IPRA also revisited the public awareness campaign that was started in 2019 before the pandemic. This campaign is now moving forward with a project manager (Austin Hochstetler from Zec Eight) and help from both the Foundation and the Association and membership as a whole. Look for more information soon. Thank you to all who have contributed thus far. It is an exciting campaign to aid in recruiting more students into the profession as well as telling the story of the impact of parks and recreation throughout the state of Indiana.

Thanks for allowing me the privilege of serving as your president this past year. It is not a position that I took lightly and I am proud of IPRA and all that has been accomplished. But, most of all, I’m excited for what is still to come. Hey Steve McDaniels...tag, you’re it.

The Indiana Park and Recreation Association is proud to present the 2022 Corporate Partner Guide. IPRA relies on the support of companies like the ones you will find featured. The following companies supported IPRA at the $2,500+ level and are recognized as IPRA’s 2022 Corporate Partners:

• Butler Fairman & Seufert, Inc.

• Commercial Recreation Group

• ForeverLawn Northeast Indiana

• HWC Engineering

• iStrike by Anything Weather

• Midstates Recreation

• Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana

2022 Corporate Partner Guide

Butler Fairman & Seufert, Inc.

8450 Westfield Boulevard, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46240 317.713.4615

www.BFSengr.com

Alan Hamersly

AHamersly@BFSengr.com

• PlayPros

• Recreation inSites, LLC

• RLTurner Corporation

• Rundell Ernstberger Associates

• Sinclair Recreation

• Snider Recreation, Inc.

We are proud to partner with such incredible organizations and look forward to the success we will continue to have as a result of these partnerships.

If you are interested in becoming a Corporate Partner, please contact Felisha Canillas (felisha@inpra.org) to learn more!

BF&S provides a full range of engineering, landscape architecture, environmental, planning and design services, with primary focus on trails, greenways, parks, streetscapes and alternative transportation.

Butler Fairman & Seufert, Inc. sponsored: Dollars for Scholars Spring Golf Outing, IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, IPRF Trivia Night, IPRA Trails Gathering

Commercial Recreation Group

15150 Herriman Boulevard Noblesville, IN 46060 317.776.7830

www.CRGplay.com

Travis Goebel

Travis@CRGplay.com

Commercial Recreation Group is a Noblesville based company specializing in providing and installing playground equipment, surfacing, site amenities, shade structures, dog parks, athletic equipment and much much more!

Commercial Recreation Group sponsored: Dollars for Scholars Spring Golf Outing, IPRA

ForeverLawn Northeast Indiana 260.257.7101

www.foreverlawnofnein.com/ Marci Reinbolt Marci@nein.ForeverLawn.com

2022 Corporate Partner Guide

ForeverLawn improves spaces and communities through innovative synthetic grass solutions and provides low-maintenance synthetic turf products whose realism and superior quality are unmatched. As the leader in the synthetic turf industry, ForeverLawn provides innovative solutions which solve real problems and improve communities.

ForeverLawn Northeast Indiana sponsored: IPRA Annual Conference and Expo

HWC Engineering 135 North Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46217 317.347.3663

www.hwcengineering.com

Cory Whitesell, PE cwhitesell@hwcengineering.com

HWC Engineering is a full-service consulting engineering firm that provides water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation, inspection, site engineering, survey, landscape architecture and planning services for both the public and private sectors.

HWC Engineering sponsored: IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, IPRA District Meeting, IPRA Leadership Summit

iStrike by Anything Weather 77809 Flora Road, Suite B Palm Desert, CA 92211 760.459.2079

www.istrikealert.com

Gregg Potter gregg@anythingweather.com

iStrike delivers real-time lightning alerting services to text, email and sirens located in parks. Enjoy completely custom radius thresholds and update timers to maximize your alerting flexibility. Live radar, forecasts and other key weather information is also included.

iStrike by Anything Weather sponsored: IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, IPRF Trivia Night

Midstates Recreation

1279 Hazleton-Etna Road SW Pataskala, OH 43062

614.855.3790

www.midstatesrecreation.com

Nathan Chamberlin

nathanc@midstatesrecreation.com

2022 Corporate Partner Guide

At Midstates Recreation we design, supply, and build community enhancing recreational play and site structures for schools, parks, residential developments, child care facilities, houses of worship, and commercial campuses. Midstates Recreation is the exclusive dealership for Playworld playgrounds and Berliner Play Equipment in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Our emphasis is not only to create play and recreation spaces for all, but to also provide a truly valuable and inclusive addition to your community!

Midstates Recreation sponsored: Dollars for Scholars Spring and Fall Golf Outing, IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, IPRF Trivia Night,

Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana

P.O. Box 4045

Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 463.224.6640

www.miracleindiana.com

Megan Miller megan@miracleindiana.com

Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana was formed in 2021. The new agency was established to better serve its customers and focus more specifically on the unique needs of the great state of Indiana. Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana strives to bring the same passion for play and reputation for quality products and excellent service to our customers.

Megan Miller founded Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana after working in Miracle’s corporate office for several years as a product manager. Her many experiences working as a liaison between sales reps, designers, engineers, customers, and children as she supported new product development, marketing, and training give her a unique perspective that is sure to be an asset to customers looking to design the perfect playgrounds to meet their needs. Her passion for play has only grown as she worked with Miracle and she is excited to step away from her desk to see projects come to life.

Making the jump from Miracle Midwest to Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana are sales representatives Phil Bennett and John Day. Phil has nearly 40 years of experience in public service and has worked with the Miracle brand for 17 years. John has been with Miracle for 22 years, all of which have been spent in Indiana.

Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana sponsored: Dollars for Scholars Spring and Fall Golf Outing, IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, IPRF Trivia Night

PlayPros

4815 S. 100 W. Kokomo, IN 46902 866.959.7866

www.playpros.com

playpros@playpros.com

2022 Corporate Partner Guide

PlayPros has all your recreational needs including play structures, aquatic play, shade structures, shelters, surfacing, site furnishings, and athletic equipment. Gather. Play. Connect.

PlayPros sponsored: IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, Dollars for Scholars Spring Golf Outing, IPRF Trivia Night

Recreation inSites

12237 Westmorland Drive Fishers, IN 46037 317.5787.0588

www.recreationinsites.com

Melissa Guffey

melissag@recreationinsites.com

At Recreation inSites, our passion is creating incredible, memorable playgrounds and parks. Each project reflects our signature values: exciting & inclusive design, thorough planning, and quality workmanship. We design public spaces which bring together people of all ages and abilities, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Proudly representing KOMPAN Playground, Outdoor Fitness and Furniture as well as Cedar Forest Products for Indiana.

Recreation inSites sponsored: Dollars for Scholars Spring and Fall Golf Outing

Rundell Ernstberger Associates

618 East Market Street

Indianapolis, IN 46202 317.263.0127

www.reasite.com

2022 Corporate Partner Guide

Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA) is a interdisciplinary firm providing urban design, landscape architecture, and planning services. Our work is focused on providing transformational site planning, design and placemaking solutions that are integral to our clients’ economic development and community enhancement strategies. The present staff of 26 includes registered landscape architects and certified planners in our offices in Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky.

Rundell Ernstberger Associates sponsored: Dollars for Scholars Spring Golf Outing, IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, IPRF Trivia Night

RLTurner Corporation

1000 W. Oak Street

Zionsville, IN 46077 317-873-2712

www.rlturner.com

Layne Cameron

lcameron@rlturner.com

Serving as a premier construction partner since 1976, we’ve been honored to partner with many cities, towns, and parks and recreation departments as they work to fulfill that mission.

Over the years, we’ve constructed many gorgeous parks, such as Greenfield’s Depot Street Park and Main Street Park in Whitestown. We’ve also undertaken large parks, like Flat Fork Creek Park in Fishers, which spans more than 60 acres, has 5 miles of trails, two ponds, and a sled hill that is the tallest point in Hamilton County.

We’ve also been able to bring our partners’ visions of aquatic-themed parks to fruition. In Remington, we helped them build their first aquatic-themed amenity, a splash pad in Remington Community Park.

We’ve also been fortunate enough to build some of Indiana’s biggest and best aquatic parks. Places like Tropicanoe Cove in Lafayette, Greenwood’s Freedom Springs, and Murphy Aquatic Park in Avon.

RLTurner Corporation sponsored: Dollars for Scholars Spring Golf Outing, IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, IPRA District Meeting

Sinclair Recreation

128 E. Lakewood Boulevard, Suite 40 Holland, MI 49424

616.392.7441

www.sinclair-rec.com

Rich Sinclair

rich@sinclair-rec.com

2022 Corporate Partner Guide

Sinclair Recreation, LLC is a Michigan corporation incorporated in 2003 with our main office in Holland, MI. Our staff and sales associates have over 100 collective years representing GameTime in Michigan and Indiana. GameTime has been one of the leading manufacturers of commercial playground equipment for 80 years. We also represent several complementary lines of commercial park equipment including recreational surfacing, shade and shelter structures, site amenities, skate parks, spray parks, bleachers, sports and athletic equipment.

Sinclair Recreation sponsored: Dollars for Scholars Spring and Fall Golf Outing, IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, IPRA District Meeting, IPRF Trivia Night

Snider Recreation, Inc. 10139 Royalton Road #K N. Royalton,OH 44133

800.888.2889

www.cvsnider.com

Snider Recreation has been providing top quality park, athletic and commercial playground equipment to the school, early education, parks and recreation industry since the 1980’s. We also support and endorse many playground grants and charities that promote creating recreational play environments to encourage play in kids of all abilities in order for them to develop and thrive physically, emotionally and socially.

Snider Recreation, Inc. sponsored: IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, IPRF Trivia Night

2022 IPRA Annual Conference & Expo Recap

By Courtnie Pettigrew and Felisha Canillas, IPRA

new IPRA members and new conference attendees gathered for the New Member Reception, sponsored by HWC Engineering and the Crowne Plaza. This event allows attendees to network with IPRA and IPRF board members as well as connect one with another and network in a smaller setting. The evening wrapped up with the 4th Annual Trivia Night event. Teams of 6 dressed in their best 70s attire and had a groovy time!

IPRA through many legislative sessions. Patterson also served as the President and member of the Indiana Parks and Recreation Foundation.

After the banquet, attendees were invited by Butler Fairman & Seufert Inc and Midstates Recreation to attend the After-Hours Speakeasy Social. Attendees dressed in 1920’s themed attire enjoyed live music, played cards, and sang karaoke!

On November 15-17, IPRA hosted more than 500 parks and recreation professionals in Indianapolis for the Indiana Park and Recreation Annual Conference and Expo. Attendees from across the state gathered to reconnect, share new ideas and reignite their passion for parks!

The event kicked off on Tuesday with various summits and round table discussions including the directors, maintenance, programmers, and student summits. The first offsite tour of the conference was also held on Tuesday at Riverside Park in Downtown Indy. Offsites give conference goers the opportunity to explore the host city’s parks and learn more about their unique features and operations. Other offsite sessions throughout the event included trips to Eagle Creek Park, Garfield Park and Holliday Park – all of these parks are a part of the 212 parks that Indy Parks and Recreation maintain.

Tuesday’s evening activities included the Opening Night Kickoff event, sponsored by Butler Fairman & Seufert Inc and Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana. Attendees heard from IPRA President, Becky BarrickHiggins and several of our sponsors as they welcomed attendees and shared more about the work they do for parks professionals. Following the kickoff,

The IPRA Annual Conference is the go-to event in the state for inspirational education sessions and energetic networking opportunities and this year was no different! Attendees spent most of the day Wednesday delving deep into learning. Attendees chose from 57 different education sessions ranging from topics about diversity and inclusion, employee recruitment and retention, park design, funding sources, creative programming and so much more. In addition to the education session speakers, attendees heard from this year’s Keynote Speaker Neil Ihde, sponsored by Landscape Structures. While it was an early morning message on Wednesday, Ihde, delivered a message about recreating recreation within oneself and encouraged attendees to play, explore, relax and contemplate and emphasized how important it is to find a renewed since of self in these post pandemic times.

After a full day of learning, attendees gathered to celebrate the achievements of Indiana park professional during the Awards Banquet, sponsored by Commercial Recreation Group. While we recognized many organizations and individuals for their outstanding work, we were honored to present the Distinguished Life Member Award to Allen Patterson. Patterson was a dedicated IPRA member for over thirty years. He served in many different roles within the organization, including Board President, member, executive committee member, chair of the conference committee and led

More than 60 exhibitors filled the Expo Hall and hall foyer this year. Exhibitors showcased their latest products and services and there was something for everyone. The bright-colors and interactive exhibits caught the attention of attendees and both vendor giveaways and a scavenger hunt kept attendees engaged throughout the event. And who could forget the VW photo bus? Attendees enjoyed taking fun photos inside the wagon and keeping their memories of the conference alive with their photo strips!

IPRA is dedicated to making a difference in our local communities by supporting charitable organizations. IPRA held a donation drive to collect non-perishable canned goods for Indy Parks food pantries.

In the spirit of giving, IPRA also hosts an annual Silent Auction for the Indiana Parks and Recreation Foundation. This year, the auction brought in over $7,000 for the IPRF scholarship fund.

The Title Sponsor for the sixth year in a row was Midstates Recreation. Without their continued support this event would not be what it is. Their company is a fullservice dealership that represents the best recreational products in the industry.

RLTurner was our Gold Sponsor this year. It was RLTurner’s second time sponsoring at the IPRA Conference! RLTurner is a premier construction partner, dedicated to helping you along the way in all your

Continued on page 17

2022 IPRA Annual Conference & Expo Recap, continued from page 16

projects. It was a pleasure to have RLTurner at the conference again this year!

Commercial Recreation Group was our Cocktail Hour and Awards Banquet. CRG is one of the largest commercial dealers for playground equipment in the state of Indiana. They have been around for over 25 years and installed hundreds of commercial type products in and around Indiana.

PlayPros was our Silver Sponsor again this year. PlayPros offers top of the line commercial playground equipment through Landscape Structures, and the best prefabricated recreational shelters through

Other sponsors include: Miracle Playgrounds of Indiana, iStrike, Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Sinclair

Recreation, Snider Recreation, Butler, Fairman & Seufert, ForeverLawn

Northeast Indiana, Tiny Mobile Robots, Pilot Rock, HWC Engineering, Crowne Plaza and Landscape Structures

The conference event would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work from the IPRA Conference Planning Committee! Their efforts brought the event to life!

We can’t wait to see everyone in 2023 at the next conference, but until then keep making a difference in your communities and parks.

Conference Planning Committee

Leslie Brinson, Bloomington Parks, Chair

Lisa Nye, IPRA

Courtnie Pettigrew, IPRA

Felisha Canillas, IPRA

Harmun Sandhu, IPRA

Alexa Lingg, Whitestown Parks & Recreation

Amanda Bender, South Bend Venues, Parks & Arts

Amber Lane, Brownsburg Parks & Recreation

Annette Harden, Indy Parks

Ashley Greene, Indy Parks

Brandy Feichter, Bluffton Parks & Recreation

Charlie Elliott, Indy Parks

Courtney Johnson, Franklin Parks & Recreation

Dan Dunten, West Lafayette Parks & Recreation

David Bault, Greencastle Parks & Recreation

David Roth, Cripe

Denise Retz, Richmond Parks & Recreation

Dominic Cornett, Whitestown Parks & Recreation

Jonathan Blake, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation

Liz Blake, Washington Township Parks & Recreation

Madison Henderson, Danville Parks & Recreation

Mike Clendenen, New Haven-Adams Parks & Recreation

Patti Davis, Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation

Randy Royer, Hitchcock Design

Sarah Muller, Johnson County Parks

Savannah Solgere, Whitestown Parks & Recreation

Shawn Bolinger, Play Pros

City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation

Charly Koopman, Walkerton Parks & Recreation

Lisa Leach, Portage Township Department of Parks & Recreation

Annie Aguirre, Elkhart County Parks & Recreation

Vanessa Hernandez-Orange, City of East Chicago Parks & Recreation

Rhonda Foster, Knox County Parks & Recreation

Kara Yax, Logansport Parks & Recreation

Stephani Massa, Washington Township Parks & Recreation

Steve McDaniel, Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation

Will Lacey, Danville Parks & Recreation

Lora Helmick, Washington Township Parks & Recreation

Indiana State Rep. Carey Hamilton Named 2022 Rail-Trail Champion

By Cory Matteson

This article was originally published in the Fall 2022 issue of Rails to Trails magazine (railstotrails. org/magazine).It has been reprinted here with permission.

Keeping the Hoosier State Laser Focused on Trail Development

The Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champions Award has honored 41 individuals around the nation who have made significant contributions to the rail-trail movement through their hard work, volunteerism or support–in short, people who have gone above and beyond in the name of trails.

Learn more about the Rail-Trail Champions award and view an interview with Rep. Hamilton: rtc.li/rail-trail-champion

In fall 2022, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) announced Indiana State Rep. Carey Hamilton as this year’s Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion for her leadership in founding the Indiana Legislative Trails Caucus, a bipartisan group of state legislators committed to building out the state’s trail network.

Hamilton’s inspiration for the caucus came from an article she read in early 2020, which called upon Indiana to form a trails caucus similar to the one RTC helped form in Ohio in 2017. Hamilton, who at 25 quit her job to hike the Appalachian Trail, was immediately all-in.

“Within like 10 minutes, I had Mitch on the phone,” Hamilton said during a recent speech about the caucus. She was referring to Greenways Foundation of Indiana President Mitch Barloga who, along with Brian Housh, RTC’s Midwest policy manager, would provide critical input as the caucus developed.

The caucus officially launched on March 5, 2020—“right before the world closed down for the pandemic,” Hamilton said. “But you know what? The pandemic did not slow down our work.”

Hamilton, a Democrat from Indianapolis, has stressed the universal appeal of the trails caucus since its founding. “We were able to quickly build support,” Hamilton said. “Again, very bipartisan, very bicameral. Urban and rural.

Quickly were able to gain that support and come up with an agenda and advance that in the statehouse.”

Hamilton co-founded the caucus with Rep. Anthony Cook (R-Cicero) and Sens. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn) and Eddie Melton (D-Gary), and now co-chairs with Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) and Sens. Stacey Donato (R-Logansport) and Michael Griffin (D-Highland). From the outset, the caucus stressed the benefits of a vibrant, expansive trail network at a time when people turned out in droves to engage in outdoor recreation opportunities for their physical and mental health. The pandemic also altered financial plans big and small.

“We are all painfully aware of the negative impacts on health and economy caused by the current pandemic and appreciate your leadership during these challenging times, which require thoughtful allocation of state resources to keep our Hoosiers safe,” the trail caucus leaders said in a collective May 2020 statement to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, who was forced to make difficult cuts to the state budget that year.

As the caucus began to seek funding options in response to changes in the state budget, a federal funding opportunity presented itself. “Our caucus took that moment to grab that opportunity, and we were able to help secure $60 million toward a dedicated trail fund,” said Hamilton. “That was an exciting moment for our caucus.”

Since then, the Next Level Trails program has been infused with funds that made possible a third phase of the program. This spring, Hamilton applauded that announcement, celebrating the 77 additional miles of trails coming to Indiana’s trail network, including in her neck of the woods, with three new sections of the Nickel Plate Trail being added via a $5 million investment.

“This is an exciting moment for the residents of House District 87, as well as Hoosiers across the state who will be positively impacted with this historic trails infrastructure investment,” Hamilton said in April. “Expanding our trails network spurs local economic development and strengthens neighborhoods, while improving quality of life and public health for Hoosiers.”

The award comes at the tail end of Indiana’s Year of the Trails, where RTC recognized two leaders who have propelled the Hoosier State into a new era of trail development. In 2021, Gov. Eric Holcomb was recognized for the Next Level Trails program, which has invested the largest infusion of trail funding in the state’s history.

The momentum behind trail funding and development in the governor’s office and the legislature is anticipated to have a significant impact on efforts to build out the state’s section of the cross-country Great American Rail-Trail® (greatamericanrailtrail.org).

Elkhart Parks and Recreation Doubles Down on Investing in Volunteer Engagement

By Mark Datema, Elkhart Parks and Recreation Board Member

The Elkhart Parks and Recreation Department turns the vision of their new Volunteer Coordinator position into reality with a coordinated effort to clear trash and debris from a section of riverbank and paint a portion of the pedestrian bridge near the Elkhart Health and Aquatics Center.

Thanks to community members and businesses with the desire to volunteer their time and resources to the City of Elkhart, it became increasingly necessary for the Parks and Recreation Department to support community involvement and corporate partnership events with a dedicated liaison. To address this need, the department created the Volunteer Coordinator position.

The Volunteer Coordinator position officially began in 2022 with the mission to build community relationships and attract organizations and businesses to have meaningful and enriching opportunities to support the Elkhart Parks and Recreation Department. Cultivating these partnerships will benefit the community by producing significant improvements to the city parks and divert otherwise costly maintenance allocations to other Parks Department programming and quality of life offerings.

The Elkhart Parks Department was fortunate to attract an incredibly talented and ambitious woman to serve for the Initiatory Volunteer Coordinator position, Mrs. Haiam Gendi. Her passion and tenacity for the newly formed position was noticed immediately when she hosted a few volunteer events like the tulips removal at Nipco Park, Ideal Beach clean up day, and community garden assistance. The tulip removal event at Nipco Park was shared heavily on social media and

intuitively attracted volunteers by offering the removed tulips for free. Elkhart has a very robust gardening community, so this naturally was an intelligent and well thought idea of hers. While her time was brief with the department her efforts and impact will long be felt.

Mrs. Gendi’s successor, Maddy Gordon presently maintains the duties of the new Volunteer Coordinator for the department and has instinctively found her footing in the new position. She has wasted no time in successfully coordinating a new partnership for the department.

The volunteer event, captioned above, occurred on October 10, 2022, with the goal of clearing trash and debris along the riverbanks of the Elkhart River near the newest health and wellness amenity to city residents the “Elkhart Health and Aquatics Center” as well as beautifying a pedestrian bridge nearby. Upon the arrival of the volunteers, staff welcomed and earnestly thanked them for their contributions towards the event. They then provided concise directives and goals for the event while handing out the necessary supplies needed to allow all volunteers to complete their tasks effectively.

Our Lead Park Ranger, Stan McCray also spoke to the group explaining any potential dangers related to the cleanup; standing by for any immediate needs that arise from participants or other park patrons. He assisted in helping maintain safety along the riverbank for participants and park patrons.

The event was a success with all planned tasks completed within the scheduled time frame. The store director of the group volunteering expressed an interest in

a continued partnership with the Parks Department in a bigger way moving forward. This type of immediate feedback from participants not only reinforces the need for this position, but visibly demonstrates how valuable and important it will be for our Volunteer Coordinator to provide assiduous attention to detail in planning events so that they only look back on the experience as a positive one with the parks department. Positive experiences like this can also be a conduit for philanthropists to consider our department for donations or sponsorships of larger capital improvements in the future.

This volunteer day is just one example of many that the department aims to host going forward. These types of partnerships are low barrier opportunities for departments across the state to broaden the awareness of parks and identify non-fiscal ways to maintain the important assets that greenspaces are for a community. Just this 2 hour event alone collectively equated to 20 hours of service, saving the city approximately $500 in labor wages. Our event partner unexpectedly brought additional supplies for the event and left them intentionally for the department’s future use, saving even more money for the department. The Elkhart Parks Department is fortunate to have the support of community members, organizations, and corporate partnerships, and expects the addition of the Volunteer Coordinator to leave an exceptional perception of our department to those that partner with us.

Ecotherapy: Using Parks to Build Mental Wellness and Resilience

By Marissa Byers, Ecotherapy for All

the world at large while overhearing the laughter of children on a playground.

Whatever your connection to nature looks (or sounds, or feels) like, this is a universal experience. An NPRA Park Pulse Survey released in July 2022 showed that 86% of U.S. adults believe it is helpful to have access to the outdoors and nature in stressful times. A 2019 study demonstrated that spending twenty to thirty minutes outside every day helps reduce stress levels. Decades of research show us how intentional time in nature yields positive impacts for our minds, bodies, and feelings of purpose or connection.

Parks are accessible natural spaces where communities can reap the benefits of time outdoors. They also play a role in weaving stronger social fabric and building community by offering opportunities for education, recreation, and belonging. These public space services are especially vital as communities recover from the impacts of COVID-19, or face other stress from local-level challenges. Since mental health services are so important, but not always accessible due to costs or other factors, preventing stress through nature is a role that parks can embrace.

There are many names for programs or resources that help build mental wellness through nature, like forest-bathing, nature-

Here are some examples of how you can make this happen in your parks, even in the face of the challenges your own team might face:

• If you don’t have a lot of time: Use signs to create a mindfulness trail or activity stations. You can plan out an easy, accessible route through your natural space. Add signs with example activities that park-goers can try to help them slow down and observe the natural world around them. Find areas of interest in different seasons and add instructions for stand-alone activities or lay your signs out in a sequence along a popular path.

• If you don’t have a lot of staff: Train volunteers to lead mindful nature walks or conduct other programming. If you have an existing volunteer program, you can use the systems you already have in place for background checks and applications to get you started. It is helpful to provide some training to volunteers on the park, safety procedures, park history, and the natural features there, as well as good practices for facilitating groups. You’ll likely attract volunteers with a passion or genuine interest in these activities who will contribute their own skills to enhance your program.

• If you don’t have a lot of resources: Team up with partners who can help with your mental wellness efforts! Local organizations, university students, teachers, libraries, or meditation groups could all have potential people-power, funding, or other resources to contribute to the cause.

The most important takeaway is that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to adding mental wellness to the list of your park’s benefits. Whether you establish resources like signs, start programs like monthly mindfulness hikes, or even just pilot a one-time event with a community partner, all of your actions contribute to boosting your community’s mental health with the help of nature! You can find example activities and more information at www.ecotherapyforall.com.

This sign is an example of mindfulness activities along the Post Oak Trail in Illinois.

Participants meet monthly at Marott Woods in Indianapolis for a volunteer-led mindfulness hike, coordinated by the Friends of Marott Woods Nature Preserve.

Make a Pledge to Support the Foundation Today

In 2022, the Indiana Parks and Recreation Foundation awarded more than $11,000 in scholarship funds. Scholarships were awarded to parks professionals to continue their education as well as Children of IPRA Members and students studying the field of parks and recreation. Two of these incredibly deserving students were RoccoPaul and Alyssa Quilter.

RoccoPaul is thankful for the support given to him by IPRA and said that “the IPRA scholarship helps me not only stay in school but also enables to me to put more focus on my studies and not have to worry so much about splitting my time between school and work just to make ends meet.”

Alyssa shared similar sentiments and said that the scholarship gave her the ability to take extra time off work and ensure her

education was getting the dedicated time it needed.

At the 2022 IPRA Annual Conference and Expo, we challenged attendees to think about what $5 meant to them and we’d encourage you to do the same – maybe it’s a cup of coffee, pocket change or a quick lunch.

For the Foundation and many students, $5 could send a student to college or bring more parks professionals to the IPRA conference.

Would you be willing to donate $5 a month over the next year to support the Indiana Parks and Recreation Foundation?

If 125 people donated $5 a month over the next year, we would increase our scholarship fund by $7,500! Imagine the possibilities!

Please consider donating to the Foundation at https://inpra-foundation. evrconnect.com/give

SCAN TO DONATE!

Thank you and we wish you the happiest New Year!

Patti Davis

Manager of Community Center to Superintendent of Recreation at Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation

Patti received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Saint Francis and a Masters of Business from Indiana Wesleyan University. She began in the playground program within the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department and moved to the Community Center which she managed since 2014. She developed pre-school and youth programming, including the successful Positive Outdoor Days of Summer (PODS) curriculum and the Unwind Your Mind program for those with early stage dementia. Davis volunteers as an Alzheimer’s Support Group Facilitator, Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chair and is a member of the Anthony Wayne Lions Club.

In this new role, Patti oversees five facilities including McMillen Community Center, the Community Center downtown, Weisser Youth Center, Jennings Youth Center and Cooper Youth Center. She also shepherds food service and the playground program.

Anthony DeVido

Investigator and trainer with the City of Fort Wayne Risk Management to Program Manager of Safety & Training at Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation

Anthony attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He has over four years of experience as an investigator and trainer in risk management. He is also a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals, ASSP.

In this new role, Anthony manages training programs related to maintenance and safety functions of all Parks and Recreation staff.

Percinta Hunter

Program Coordinator to Supervisor of the McMillen Park Community Center with Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation

In this new role, Percinta plans, organizes and coordinates facility operations and yearround and seasonal neighborhood and community programs under the direction of the Manager of McMillen Park Community Center.

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Congratulations to the IPRA movers and shakers who have recently changed jobs and/or retired within the park and recreation profession!

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Roger Jeffers

Superintendent of Floyd County Parks and Recreation to Retired

After 49 years of part time and full time public service as a teacher, coach and most importantly parks and recreation professional! Roger was lucky enough to work the final 7 years as Superintendent of Floyd County Park Superintendent planning, designing, fundraising and overseeing the construction of a $1,400,000 accessible playground and splash pad. Definitely his legacy project! If you get a chance, make sure to stop in and check out Kevin Hammersmith Memorial Park! Happy Retirement Roger!

Travis Roth

Grounds Supervisor to Manager of Safety Operations at Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation

Travis attended Grand Valley State University. He started with the Parks Department in 1997 as a seasonal landscape worker. He expanded to work in grounds maintenance three years later and in 2015 he was named Grounds Supervisor.

In this new role, Travis oversees the Park fleet garage and storeroom which is responsible to repair the department’s over the road vehicles, mowers, heavy equipment and small engines. He also purchases new vehicles, tools and specialty equipment needed for staff.

Mary Wagner-Stockman

Assistant Manager of Community Center to Manager of Community Center at Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation

Mary received her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Marketing from Bowling Green State University. Following a career in retail, she began working part-time in a clerical position at the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center. After a few years, Mary became full-time and was responsible for the older adult programming. In 2021 she was promoted to Assistant Manager and became responsible for Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordination.

In this new role, Mary manages the operation and maintenance of the Community Center and oversees the planning and implementation of recreational and educational programs and leisure services.

Mary is married and has two daughters and a dog. The oldest is studying Elementary Education and also plays collegiate volleyball. Mary enjoys spending time with her family, being at the lake, cooking and traveling.

Be featured in the Profile magazine.

We’re always looking for new, interesting things to feature in our magazine, if you’re interested in contributing content for upcoming editions, contact Courtnie at courtnie@inpra.org

Submit an Article Profile the

IPRA Profile Magazine Submissions Guidelines:

All articles must be educational and non-commercial in nature and must be pertinent to the parks field in a way that benefits and educates park professionals.

In order to comply with the non-commercial requirement above, an article may not specifically mention a business by name in the body of the article, but the business name/s can be included with the information about the author at the end.

We strongly encourage our corporate members to collaborate on articles with park department members to highlight their work and partnerships. Articles on new projects, programs or innovations will be given preference.

If the article features or mentions a park department, the director of the department must approve the contents prior to publication of the submission.

Any article submitted that does not meet these guidelines will not be published. IPRA retains the right to edit, publish or reject any article submitted based on these guidelines.

If you are interested in advertising in The Profile, please contact Felisha Canillas at felisha@inpra.org

Bob Bronson’s Legacy: Making the World a Better Place

By Dale Brier, IDNR Division of State Parks

Bob Bronson always knew he wanted to work in a recreation field. He grew up in Wahoo, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1978 with a BS in Outdoor Recreation. He then worked many different jobs with the US Forest Service, spending most of his time out West. He worked in Wyoming, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, and Nebraska, mostly doing seasonal trail work, carpentry, and firefighting. It was in his free-spirited nomadic days that he met his future wife Mary in Wyoming. Since she was from Indiana, it made sense for them to come back here to settle down and raise a family that would end up being three children.

many grant programs. Bob’s core value to make the world a better place has always been obvious, whether he was fixing a trail, funding a trail project, or helping to improve a local park, it was the motivation that kept him going. As an avid cyclist he worked tirelessly to get people out of cars and onto bikes to not only help the environment, but to also make people healthier. His 25 years as the grants manager leave behind impressive numbers: 350 projects, $71 million in granted funds, 240 miles of new trail, and 5700 acres of protected land under seven DNR directors.

Started as a Grant Coordinator in June of 1990.

Promoted to Grants Manager in February of 1997.

Retired on August 31, 2022

Since becoming the manager, a lot of projects have been overseen by him.

• Total projects: 350

• Total acres acquired/protected: 5,700

• Total trail miles built: 240

• Total funds distributed: $71,096,955

BREAKDOWN BY PROJECTS

After the relocation to Indiana, Bob started with the Indiana DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation in June of 1990 as a grant coordinator. In 1997 he was promoted to the Grants Manager position where he would spend the next 25 years overseeing

If you ask Bob about some memorable projects, he quickly goes to the Panhandle Pathway and the Nickle Plate trails. The Panhandle project was a perfect alignment of multiple grant programs coming together at the right time to nearly triple the original project from 6 miles to 18. Being able to combine Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds with State Trails funds, Recreational Trails Program (RTP), and federal stimulus money brought it all together. A similar thing happened with the Nickel Plate trail where they built 20 miles of trail in a single project. His other joy is helping not-for-profit groups succeed

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WABASH: 36 Projects $5,667,138.50

493.2 acres acquired/ protected

HOMETOWN: 27 Projects $4,206,402.30

734.98 acres acquired/ protected

LWCF: 114 Projects $23,621,986.26

3,269 acres acquired/ protected

RTP: 143 Projects $19,561,802.93

148.53 miles of trail 1,199 acres acquired/ protected (Redbird is over 800 of this)

STATE TRAILS: 29 Projects $18,039,625 90 miles of trail

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in creating trails that extend beyond city and county boundaries. The hard-working volunteers that dedicate so much of themselves to raise money, get grants, put trails on the ground, and maintain them show what true grassroots groups can do. The longest rail trails in the state are run by these groups.

What does he want for the future of Indiana after he is gone? The answer is simple – more money for trails, parks, and land conservation, specifically more state funds. Indiana has historically relied on federal money being spent here for outdoor recreation. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has been

permanently funded at its highest level, but more could be done for our parks and land conservation. Next Level Trails is a one-time source, something annually funded would be better. On top of that, many of the trails that Bob assisted in his early career are now showing their age. Maintenance funding is also something Indiana lacks. That is something Bob will have to watch from a distance, he and his wife are moving to northern Michigan after his retirement.

Happy retirement, Bob!

IPRA 2021 Awards of Excellence Winners

accommodation of distinctive park amenities, restored historic elements, and enhanced local connectivity. A dynamic and welcoming reimagined public space, Old City Park has transformed downtown Greenwood and significantly advanced the community’s environmental, social, physical, and economic well-being.

EXCEPTIONAL FACILITY DESIGN Deaconess Aquatic Center

Evansville Parks & Recreation

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Becky Barrick-Higgins

EXCELLENCE IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Old City Park, Greenwood Parks & Recreation

The re-imagining of Old City Park was a central feature of the City of Greenwood’s downtown development plan to reinvigorate businesses and reconnect residents. Rundell Ernstberger Associates lead a multidisciplinary team to formulate and implement a new vision for Old City Park. The reimagined park boasts a mix of active elements (play space, bocce ball courts, outdoor fitness circuit, multimodal pathways) and passive activities (gathering areas and overlooks, creekside promenade, events lawn) were integrated with ecological and habitat enhancements (stream bank restoration, reforestation, native prairie plantings, daylighted storm drainage pipes), and connectivity and access improvements (extension of local trail network, new sidewalks, paths, and intersection improvements, new parking, new pedestrian bridge). All these elements combine to breathe new vitality into the area. Old City Park has introduced a new landscape typology to Greenwood. In a city that has seen continued rapid expansion and growth, the REA’s habitatforward solution successfully integrates enhanced stormwater management principles, green infrastructure, and native plantings and habitat within a highly developed urban area. The new park has demonstrated to the public that careful stewardship of natural resources can be balanced with the

The City of Evansville’s previous indoor pool was no longer in a state to support the competitive and recreational swimming needs of the community. With the understanding of the extensive, vibrant history of swimming in the community and desire for this to continue, city leaders knew they needed to build a replacement for the outdated, aging aquatic facility. The vision for this new aquatic center was to create an all-inclusive, state-of-theart facility that could provide swimming amenities for everyone — a place for swimmers of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels to enjoy. Thus, the Deaconess Aquatic Center was born. The aquatic center has a stretch 50-meter pool, dedicated to Olympic gold medalist swimmer and Evansville native Lilly King, where diving and swimming can occur simultaneously. A recreational pool serves leisure swimmers, offering lap lanes, stair entry, a zero-depth entry area with play features, a basketball goal and space for classes and lessons. A splash park is located outside. The Deaconess Aquatic Center has been well received and has already been host to numerous events, with more scheduled for the future. It is an environment that increases quality of life for not only the Evansville community, but visitors as well.

EXCEPTIONAL PARK DESIGN Stephens Park Brownsburg Parks & Recreation

In 2019, Brownsburg Parks was awarded a $4.5 million Park District Bond to address a few long-standing capital projects. One of those projects was the renovation of Stephens Park, a 3.2-acre park in the central part of Brownsburg. Acquired from Lincoln Township in 1998, the property consisted of mature trees, open space, a small outdated playground, and a shelter. Unfortunately, this park, in the middle of a neighborhood, was a common place for undesirable activity due to its insufficient lighting. The agency completed the design in 2020 to maximize the park acreage with facilities and amenities that addressed several community priorities within its 5-year Strategic Master Plan while maintaining some of its original characteristics. Construction was completed in the spring

of 2021 on the $1.2 million overhaul of Stephens Park. The park still boasts the majority of its open space and mature trees but now has several well-received multi-generational features. The acreage contains six pickleball courts, year-round restrooms, and outdoor fitness equipment. It also displays an updated playground with accessible and inclusive play equipment and surfacing, an accessible paved loop path, and rain gardens that help manage the stormwater on-site.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAM Power Wheels in the Park and Kids’ Bikefest

Bluffton Parks & Recreation

We all know that kids love their power wheels, so our department created an event for them to sharpen their driving skills with an obstacle course! Children ages 3-9 swerved through the cone

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slalom, under tunnels, over rumble strips, under arches, over ramps, and followed curvy chalk lines at the shaky lanes station. We created a giant sensory car wash and plugged in our famous foam machine to create a massive pile of bubbles to drive through. Our event coordinator created personal driver’s licenses for each child and everyone received a finishers medal. Kids loved this event and couldn’t wait to go through it again and again. Afterward, we invited children over 10 to bike through the course. They also competed in a slow roll challenge to see who could take the longest to cross the finish line without putting their foot down and a ½-mile speed challenge to race around the park trail. Not only did this free event capture the attention of smaller children, but we

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were also able to double the fun by adapting it into a program that older kids enjoyed.

CREATIVE EVENT

Parks of the Living Dead

Columbus Parks & Recreation

Mill Race Park in Columbus, Indiana has been overcome by the undead. Participants in Park of the Living Dead are “survivors”, outrunning the shambling masses and completing complex puzzles and challenges to unlock the prerequisites of apocalypse survival. As a survivor, you will work to secure shelter, find food, destroy a zombie’s brain, gain access to medical supplies and ultimately create “the cure”. Capturing the young adult audience is an ongoing challenge that many parks and recreation

departments can relate to. With Park of the Living Dead, we have been able to offer an experience that is both exciting and engaging to young adults. Each year we create thematic commercials played online to spread the hype of the impending zombie infestation. We work with local theater groups to provide actors in the role of zombie volunteers. And, we work to really up the ante of our zombie-themed puzzles. This program has been a total sell-out and has effectively captured the attention of the illusive young adult audience. Recreation programming often naturally gravitates toward family and child activities, but with some fake blood and zombie makeup, we are able to serve a whole new population.

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well as materials, equipment, guest artists, and content experts. It was crucial to our DEI initiatives to build an outreach program that educates these communities about nature and the environment and increases their exposure to local artists and art mediums. We also implemented this outreach programming into parks

INCLUSION PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE Outreach Initiative, Indy Parks

In 2021, Indy Parks conducted an internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) assessment with our entire team and assigned scores to our parks based on race and income data from the previous census, allowing us to make more equitable investments. We identified a lack of access to arts and environmental education (EE) programming, particularly in parks serving communities of color and low-income residents. We allocated funds for an EE outreach coordinator and an arts outreach coordinator, as

with facilities that provided primarily sports and recreation programming, expanding the scope of their offerings.

During the summer season, the EE and arts programming is also now more readily available for pool goers and day camp participants. By analyzing our programs and services through a DEI lens, and utilizing direct input from City Councilors, neighborhood groups, advisory councils, and stakeholders, we were able to better adjust our programming to fit the needs of our community as they evolved.

EXCELLENCE IN RESOURCE IMPROVEMENT

Eagle Creek Park West Side Trail Improvement Project, Indy Parks

Through grant funding from the Lilly Endowment, Eagle Creek Park is finally able to welcome the public to the west side of Eagle Creek reservoir with 10 new miles of trail though Eagle’s Crest Nature Preserve. This 297-acre preserve

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showcases some of Marion County’s last undeveloped land to our one-million park visitors. The west side of Eagle Creek Park offers superb views of the reservoir, a rich diversity of plants and animals, and hilly topography that is unlike anything else in Marion County. The west side trail includes two, one-mile, ADA accessible loops that move through a variety of habitats and natural areas including open meadow, sloped glade, and forested woodland. These ADA trails sit at either terminus of the trunk trail that traverses seven miles through rolling woodlands along the tributaries that feed into Eagle Creek reservoir. Guided by accessibility and ecological preservation, Eagle Creek Staff and the Eagle Creek Park Foundation worked with the community, design consultants, and environmental agencies to protect the unique features of this area and make them accessible. The West Side Trail embodies Eagle Creek Park’s vision of a diverse park, balancing: natural resources, recreation, innovative education, and community needs.

CLARK KETCHUM CONSERVATION AWARD Hamilton County Parks & Recreation Department

Under the leadership of 2nd year Director Chris Stice, HCPR doubled down on its commitment to preserve and provide high-quality, passive parks and facilities while also serving as a community leader in living an environmentally responsible lifestyle. HCPR acquired over 260 acres across four of Hamilton County’s nine townships, creating three new parks. HCPR acquired HC Farms, a 106-acre park that features seven streams and numerous wetlands and fens that carved many rugged ravines across the property. HCPR received Three Forks Preserve, an Indiana Classified Forest within the city of Carmel that was donated to the Department by a generous member of the public. HCPR was the recipient of Burr Oak Bend, a 129-acre riparian corridor along the

White River in Noblesville as a part of a land transfer from the Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc. To maintain these lands, HCPR staff assembled a dedicated crew of natural resource experts to oversee planning and implementation of long-term natural resource management plans. Assisting in this undertaking were 1,471 volunteers who dedicated 7,809.25 hours to improving these shared lands. HCPR innovated different public engagement strategies, seeking ways to meet the community’s needs of this era through nature educational programs, events, and camps.

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OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL George Benn, Indy Parks

George Benn has worked for Indy Parks and Recreation as the Senior Production Arts Manager for over 39 years, producing concerts, movie showings, theater productions, festivals, and more. He has provided many top-quality programs throughout our park system, revolutionizing the way that Indianapolis residents can experience large scale

events and performances for little or no cost. The Indy Parks Summer Concert Series has been a city favorite for decades with George as the driving force behind its continuous momentum and success. His constant motivation to provide one of our city’s best forms of entertainment has resulted in what many attendees have said is their favorite part of summertime in Indy. The Summer Concert Series features local and regional performers at parks across the city and is accessible to all ages. The number and diversity of programs we offer has also grown under George’s tenure. He leads his team to actively prioritize the representation of diverse musicians and performers, whether by race, gender identity, or age. Not only are the acts he books diverse, but so are the performance locations. George has always advocated to make his events accessible to people from all socio-economic backgrounds across the city, making sure that there is a source of fun and free entertainment for all.

EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG PROFESSIONAL Eden

Lamb

Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation

Eden Lamb has a passion for the outdoors and she has been committed to helping the residents of Fort Wayne share that passion as part of Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation for over 5 years. Her current position of Manager of Outdoor Recreation and Boating allows her to lead staff, complete strategic plans for facilities, manage budgets, and develop new programs and events that help activate the parks. She supervises over 200 staff-

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-made up of seasonal, full time, and part time employees--and she oversees eight different operations: Salomon Farm Park, Salomon Farm Camp, Lindenwood, Franke Park Day Camp, the Sweet Breeze Canal Boat, Johnny Appleseed Campground, Hurshtown Reservoir, and River Camp. Eden believes that giving staff the tools they need to succeed is a crucial part of being a manager and will have a strong

impact on the department’s mission. Eden’s dedication to her community and to her passion for outdoor recreation has led to much success already in her career, and she is sure to continue making a major impact in the quality of life for the citizens and visitors of Fort Wayne as they enjoy the programs she oversees.

OUTSTANDING AGENCY

Valpo Parks

Valpo Parks is no stranger to the spotlight, known nationally for celebrated spaces like its Central Park Plaza, recognized as one of the nation’s Best Public Spaces by the American Planning Association for its outdoor amphitheater, covered pavilion, ice skating venue, splash pad

and gathering spaces. Already more than 250,000 participants join in programming at 19 Valpo Parks facilities, enjoying sports, environmental appreciation, elder enrichment, summer concerts and movies, year-round golf and more. Yet, Valpo Parks continues to look forward –dreaming of ways to make Valparaiso even more vibrant. So, for its 77th year, Valpo Parks chose to launch a community-wide movement to maximize engagement for generations to come – for all ages. Valpo Parks has introduced a bold initiative that welcomes the entire community – called Valpo for All Generations. The idea was simple: spark a public-private partnership to enrich parks by embracing all ages in four priorities: Legacy Parks for signature and beloved spaces, a new Adult Center for Enrichment (ACE) to enhance the lives of adults through education and community connection, a Next Generation Skate Park for both adrenaline and

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adaptive athletes and a new 248-acre Community Recreation and Sports Complex complete with sports fields, trails, shelters, nature areas and more. Introduced to much fanfare, Valpo for All Generations is inspiring partnerships and bold designs are taking shape – elevating an extraordinary Valpo Parks system to new heights.

CORPORATE PARTNER OF THE YEAR

Chuck Gardiner

NuToys Leisure Products

When it comes to Parks & Rec, Chuck Gardiner of NuToys Leisure Products gets it. It’s no surprise why—he spent over a dozen years working in our shoes directing and supervising parks departments before moving into his role with NuToys. However, he hasn’t taken his knowledge and experience of the Parks & Rec world to just make him a more successful salesman of park products (though he no doubt is) but instead is using his years of experience to lift all of Parks and Recreation higher in Northwest Indiana. Chuck understands how difficult, yet important, park advocacy and awareness is. He has been strategic in partnering together Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties various park departments with one another and with other regional organizations and media outlets to allow for a more cohesive park voice across Northwest Indiana. This “PARKnership”, as it’s been dubbed, brings together dozens of departments 6 times a year to learn about resources

available to us and collaborate on plans and projects to further our voice. Chuck saw each of our departments individually trying to accomplish the same goals and created a group that has resulted in a greater sense of community and camaraderie and professionalism amongst our area departments. Through the PARKnership, we can better advocate for ourselves, support one another, and learn from each other’s successes and failures as we are brought together every other month.

ELECTED OFFICIAL

Steve Schwartz

Hamilton County Councilman

Councilman Steve Schwartz through his public and private life has been a constant advocate for not only Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, but outdoor recreation in

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our community and beyond. There is no better individual to honor with this award than Steve. 20 years of work as Hamilton County Council member, plus 50 years of activism for the field of outdoor recreation sets him apart from many elected officials. Whether that be donating cases of fishing poles to support parks programming or fighting for funding to expand parks footprint and staffing. He has been instrumental in the success of Hamilton County

Parks and Recreation Department. His personal engagement with parks staff and individuals from the community has been a blessing in so many ways. “ ‘What do you need?’ is the most common phrase I have heard from Councilman Schwartz over all these years, and he truly wants to know how he can provide this department with the proper tools to be successful.” Deputy Director Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department.

DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN

Andrew Terry Prather, Hamilton County Parks & Recreation Board President

Terry Prather – A Passion for Parks…and Service Without Andrew “Terry” Prather, it’s fair to say that Hamilton County Parks and Recreation (HCPR) may not have become the parks department known for

its deep commitment to service. In 1985, Terry was appointed to the HCPR parks board and subsequently became board president, a position he continues to hold, making for a remarkable span of 37 years serving in the parks and recreation field! Mr. Prather oversaw HCPR’s growth from a fledgling county agency to a fullservice parks department, responsible for managing 1,800 acres of land and trails throughout Hamilton County. Terry authorized key projects ranging from the development of Strawtown Koteewi Park, the county’s largest park, to accommodating a land donation that resulted in the creation of the stately Coxhall Gardens. As founding member of Friends of Hamilton County Parks, Inc. parks foundation, Terry served as treasurer from 2005 – 2018. Terry’s

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parks peers elected him Board President of IPRA in 2011. He continues to attend and enjoy IPRA’s annual conferences. Mr. Prather’s legacy to the parks department he helped create, is instilling his passion for parks in HCPR staff members and encouraging growth of a servant’s heart within each of them.

DISTINGUISHED LIFE MEMBER

Allen Patterson

Allen served as Director of Parks for the City of Connersville and Hamilton County. Allen was a dedicated IPRA member for over thirty years. He served the Association as President, he was a board member for many years, executive committee member for many years, chaired the Legislative and

Conference committees several times each. Allen represented Indiana on the NRPA Great Lakes Regional Council, he represented IPRA on the legislative committees for Indiana Cities and Towns, and Indiana Association of Counties. Allen

was appointed by Governors Daniels, Pence, and Holcomb to represent parks and recreation on the Benjamin Harrison Trust Project selection committee. Allen was awarded the 2006 IPRA Outstanding Professional Award. Allen was a dedicated and active member of IPRA each of those 30 years. He loved the association and its members and was always willing to lend a hand and share his knowledge and experience with anyone who needed it. Allen was called upon and assisted many different communities when requested to help solve problems. Allen mentored many past and current IPRA professionals. Allen lists his staff (park family) among his greatest accomplishments in parks and recreation.

Save the Date: Spring 2023 Golf Outing

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 for the Spring Dollars For Scholars Golf Outing at Eagle Creek Golf Course. We look forward to another successful year of raising funds for the IPRF Scholarship Fund, which supports the continuing education of park professionals and students in Indiana.