2022 Annual Report

MAYOR JAMES MUELLER

MAYOR JAMES MUELLER

VPA SENIOR STAFF

VPA

MORRIS 100 COMMITTEE

VPA FOUNDATION

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Originally starting my professional career as a small business owner in a struggling downtown South Bend, I felt compelled to pour myself into being part of the city’s revival. Little did I know that this would become my life’s work. Over 20 years later, it seems this is true. It’s an honor to work alongside hundreds of colleagues who are committed to this same inclusive, influential, and innovative work.

From heath, wellness and social equity to economic development and ecological stewardship, the impacts we’re able to collectively deliver are meaningful. 2022 was a banner year in so many ways. The following pages will not only outline the records broken, the milestones reached, the recognitions earned, and results measured. It’ll also indirectly tell the story of the people who tirelessly work to make our community the best version of itself.

This year, I’m particularly proud of the recognition our team earned. The National Gold Medal is the top award in the field of Parks & Recreation… and South Bend brought it home!

While there is plenty of work left to do, this award is a prestigious recognition of all the work that has been done to serve the community and the manner in which our dedicated team goes about it.

I’m grateful for those who support this work in so many ways. As a team, we look forward to continuing to earn your patronage, your organizational collaborations, your philanthropic gifts, and your volunteer efforts.

Your support is the foundation for us to constantly improve and expand our impacts with this city and beyond. Accordingly, 2023 is shaping up to be an extremely special year as well. Onward!

AARON PERRI Executive Director

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

POWERED BY: 94 FULL-TIME STAFF 124 PART-TIME STAFF

KEY FIGURES:

$27.47M OVERALL ECONOMIC IMPACT

1,913 VOLUNTEERS

35% OPERATIONAL COST RECOVERY

3 INTERNS

58,000+ PEOPLE ATTENDED OUR FREE EVENTS ACROSS ALL SIX DISTRICTS

$4,677,796

RAISED THROUGH GRANTS & PRIVATE DONATIONS

RECOGNITIONS

2022 National Gold Medal Winner by American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration (AAPRA)

Morris Performing Arts Center Director of Booking, Jane Moore, graduated IAVM’s Venue Management School

For the 25th year in a row, VPA received Tree City USA designation

Elbel Park Golf Course Earned Top 25 Municipal Course by golf.com

South Bend Tribune Readers’ Choice Winners (Morris Performing Arts Center, Palais Royale, Potawatomi Zoo & Erskine Park Golf Course)

Ranked #56 in 2022 Pollstar Top 100 Worldwide Ticket Sales (Morris Performing Arts Center)

Kelli Notteboom, Aquatics and Ice Manager, completed Water Safety Instructor Trainer Certificate

American Society of Landscape Architect’s Honor Award for the reimagination of Pulaski Park

Award winning Plaza Park installation “Daydream” - Montreal’s HUB Award for Best in Public Art

BUDGET STEWARDED

$41,370,601 SOURCES

$9,286,576 EARNED REVENUE

IN Parks Department Levy

Earned Revenue (breakdown below)

Capital Bonds/Transfers

Donations/Grants

General

Hotel/Motel

Other

Financial accountability has been the standard of South Bend Venues Parks & Arts. In conjunction with the City’s financial policies, we work proactively to utilize women and minority-owned businesses, we employ an equitable cost-recovery policy, and aim to control costs. The financial surplus this year represents encumbered capital expenditures and a replenishing of required operational reserves. Parks (Facilities

$38,868,524 USES OF FUNDS

Parks and recreation

is not a luxury; it is an indispensable part of the infrastructure of our cities, towns, and counties.”

NRPA ENGAGEMENT REPORT 2022

The Morris celebrated its 100 year anniversary with a two-day festival, and over 10,000 in attendance.

SOCIAL EQUITY

Strengthening the community through increased inclusion by consciously serving all populations throughout our accessible venues, equitable parks & free programming.

The Venues Parks & Arts team continues to provide an inclusive environment with experiences serving all in our community.

• Introduced low sensory nights at Howard Park Ice Trail & Pond

• Wheelchair accessible tennis programming

• Dual-language campaigns driven to increase community engagement among English and Spanish speakers

• 30+ new community partnerships to further increase populations served and variety of offerings

• 443 hours designated to youth employment training, focused on communication, leadership, and resiliency

• 4,136 hours worked within the Youth Employment Program

• Approved a new Arts Equity Coordinator position

• Morris Performing Arts Center offered an expansive list of new, inclusive offerings like Dia de los Muertos, Student Day with the Civic Theater, free showing of Soul, and more.

• Restructured to integrate Community Iniatives into the Community Programming Division, creating expanded resources for outreach, equity, and engagement.

65 SENIOR (50+) CLASSES AND PROGRAMS FACILITATED AT OUR PARKS & CENTERS

3,349 FREE MEALS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE NEW COMMUNITY FRIDGE & FREEZER PROGRAMS AND REAL SERVICES PARTNERSHIPS

HOWARD PARK

Boomer made its way around the city’s six districts during the “Stop, Pop & Roll” event

BY THE NUMBERS

201

FREE EVENTS HELD WITH OVER 45,000 TOTAL EVENT ATTENDEES

Equality of opportunity is the essence of social justice.”

Tony Honore

2,000 FREE ICE SKATING ADMISSIONS GIVEN TO OVER 40 ORGANIZATIONS IN SOUTH BEND

5,730 STUDENTS ATTENDED A FREE SHOW AT THE MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

498 SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED TO SOUTH BEND YOUTH FOR PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

$21,021

MONEY RAISED AT THE DIRECTORS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP GOLF OUTING & SKATE-ITFORWARD PROGRAM

707

YOUTH MEMBERSHIPS ISSUED VIA THE KIDS GOLF FREE INITIATIVE AT STUDEBAKER GOLF COURSE

605

MEMBERS IN THE SKATE-IT-FOWARD PROGRAM

BUILD THE DREAM | Over 12 months of robust planning and community engagement led to a reenvisioning of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center and park. The $19M project will break ground in January of 2023.

NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT

Empowering residents & employees to contribute, take pride in & feel safe in our city.

The Facilities & Grounds team continues to provide safe, clean, and healthy environments for residents and visitors using our facilities.

• Conducted over 916 hours of safety training for VPA employees ranging from first aid to aerial rescue

• 432 playground inspections were conducted across 35 parks

• Completed 432 air quality tests in city parks

• Secured funding and began work to repair, resurface, and create 18 pickleball courts, basketball and tennis courts in 11 parks

• Created the POETS program, or Park Outreach & Engagement Team, devoting a team of 6 to various parks, creating a safer, more welcoming environment for all

7,655

VOLUNTEER HOURS SPENT BEAUTIFYING OUR GREEN SPACES AND VENUES THOUGHOUT THE YEAR

17,000+

ESTIMATED AMOUT OF ATTENDEES AT THIS YEAR’S BEST. WEEK. EVER., A FREE, WEEKLONG EVENT FOR THE COMMUNITY

WESTERN AVENUE

Streets filled during Best. Week. Ever.’s Best. Wednesday. Ever. event.

30,250

BOOMER EVENT ATTENDEES WITHIN ALL SIX DISTRICTS OF THE CITY

432

PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS TO MAINTAIN SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS

TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND

COMPLETED NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS

MUESSEL GROVE PARK

• New restrooms

O’BRIEN FITNESS CENTER

• Lobby with carpeting, fresh paint, counters and cabinets

PLAZA PARK

• New interactive installation “Daydreamer”

HOWARD PARK

• Addition of new art installation, Harriet Tubman in the event lawn

• New solar panels installed

POTAWATOMI ZOO

• Parking lot expansion

• New front entrance

• Addition of Giraffe exhibit

FOUR WINDS FIELD

• New LED stadium lights

• Locker room upgrades

COAL LINE TRAIL

• ADA accessible multi-use trail system, connecting multiple districts

RANDOLPH PARK

• Vacated street for increased public safety

• Upgraded playground equipment

SOUTHEAST PARK

• Community-supported efforts, raising volunteer funds to create new public softball field

“

Quality parks and green spaces are fundamental for sustaining equitable, resilient communities. Access to nature and the outdoors—close to home, in the cities and communities where people live—is a matter of health, equity, and justice.”

ECOLOGICAL STEWARDSHIP

Holding ourselves accountable for ecological progress by implementing sustainable business practices, engaging in public ecological education & protecting our environment.

The grounds crews worked tirelessly to improve the ecological health and beautify our city’s parks and public space through the following efforts:

• Removed invasive species throughout city parks including Buckhorn, Japanese Honeysuckle, and Japanese Knotweed with special thanks to volunteers

• Installed 1,224 bulbs, shrubs and plants around various parks and trails

• Planted 1,336 wildflowers and 1,197 annual plants in planters and roundabouts throughout downtown

• Pruned and provided beneficial healthcare to 1,984 park and city trees

• Fertilized 404 downtown trees

• Installed wire wraps to protect 23 trees from beaver damage

• Planted 96 trees among tree lawns as part of the free “Community Tree Canopy” initiative

HOWARD PARK

The Forestry team planted over 30 new trees within Howard Park in 2022.

270 TREES PLANTED IN PARKS AND DOWNTOWN STREETS

TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND

1,328 TREES GROWING IN 16 URBAN TREE NURSERIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY

391 FREE TREES GIVEN AWAY TO RESIDENTS

• Performed yearly river window maintenance and brush clearing along Veterans Memorial, Riverside Drive and Governor Joe Kernan to provide pleasant vista views along 4.4 miles of riverbank

• Continued the urban tree recycling program, recycling trees by selling logs to the local sawmills. This program reduces the total amount of woody materials going into our landfill

1,786 TREES WATERED IN PARKS AND DOWNTOWN AREAS

• Completed 2,101 mowing abatements on vacant and abandoned lots for Code Enforcement

21% URBAN TREE CANOPY COVERAGE, WITH AN OVERALL GOAL OF 40%

• Mowed 1,381 properties for the City of South Bend and Department of Community Investment

• Removed graffiti from 132 residential and commercial properties at no cost

DID YOU KNOW | Planting trees is not only important as part of the canopy coverage and its positive enivonrmental effects, but saves the city in storm runoff costs and sequestration of CO2, combating global warming effects.

“

Research shows that green space and public space are among the leading factors to having deeper social ties within communities - and when communities come together, they become stronger.”

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR COMMUNITY CENTER

Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.”

JOSEPH CHILTON PEARCE

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its Summer Fun Camp during the summer months.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Promoting excellent health & wellness through increasing physical activity opportunities and providing access to parks in our city.

44,271 ICE SKATERS AT HOWARD PARK

511

SUMMER

ATTENDEES

82,299 FITNESS CENTER MEMBER VISITS WITHIN OUR 3 CENTERS

640 REGISTERED YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE PARTICIPANTS

HOWARD PARK

CAMP

Howard Park is a vibrant, four-season park in the heart of downtown South Bend.

2,500+ ROUNDS OF GOLF FOR FREE THROUGH THE FIRST TEE PARTNERSHIP

65,084

ROUNDS OF GOLF IN 2022, UP 52% SINCE 2016

25% INCREASE IN GOLF MEMBERSHIP SALES OVER THE PRIOR YEAR

8,990

TOTAL RIDES DOWN THE EAST RACE WATERWAY

60%

PARTICIPANTS OF THE EAST RACE WATERWAY COME FROM OUTSIDE THE SOUTH BEND AREA

16,694

PARTICIPANTS IN SOFTBALL LEAGUES AT BYERS SOFTBALL COMPLEX

8,110

POOL SESSIONS AT KENNEDY WATER PLAYGROUND

DID YOU KNOW | There were over 44,000 ice skaters at Howard Park to burn a collective 11 million calories as a community in 2022.

“

Fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Cultivating experiences to connect people deeper to the fabric of the community and using our resources to generate an economic impact.

$13.5M OVERALL ECONOMIC IMPACT FROM THE OPERATION OF VENUES IN 2022

12% INCREASE IN TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT FROM 2021

DID YOU KNOW | The economic impact of the Morris 100 Fest was incredible for our downtown businesses. Citipossible Network by Mastercard estimated a 258% increase in spend over the two-day festival.

COLFAX AVENUE

Thousands attended free concerts throughout Morris 100 Fest.

BY THE NUMBERS

120 events

MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

120 Events | 19,103 Tickets Sold

• Raised nearly $25M towards the capital campaign project

• New seats, HVAC, carpeting installed

• 858 union positions filled in 2022

• Ranked top venue in ticket sales via Pollstar all 4 quarters

61 events 310 events

PALAIS ROYALE

61 Events | 13,126 Attendees

CENTURY CENTER

310 Events | 14,315 Room Nights

• Repaved parking lot for better access and improved exit lanes

44 events 412 rentals

BENDIX ESPORTS ARENA

313 Annual Members | 26,283 Visitors

• Continuation of bi-weekly and monthly regional and local tournaments

• Xfinity partnership and rebranding throughout the arena

HOWARD PARK EVENT CENTER

412 Rentals | 16,913 Participants

• Added new solar panels as part of a larger energy savings initiative through the City of South Bend

The Morris 100 Campaign reached over $24M in 2022. In anticipation of this incredible milestone, a group of committed volunteers is working with the city of South Bend to raise $30 million that will help ensure the Morris is still a vital part of our community a hundred years from now. Learn more and see the progress at morris100.org.

LOOKING FORWARD

From preparing for the next 100 years of the Morris Performing Arts Center to improving the quality of our outdoor spaces, we look forward to our greatest achievements always being ahead of us.

34

NEW PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN 2023

$21.5M

INVESTMENT OF CAPITAL PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED IN 2023

DID YOU KNOW | In just under 5 years, the landscape of South Bend has changed immensly. Every district of the city has seen upgrades to existing infrastracture and improvements to over 35 parks, thanks to the $60M My SB Parks & Trails initiative.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR COMMUNITY CENTER

The MLK Center will undergo a complete reimagination in 2023.

VENUE SPACES

• MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER will receive additional carpeting and FF&E theater upgrades

• PALAIS ROYALE will receive new carpeting and bridal suite upgrades

• CENTURY CENTER will receive a variety of new upgrades in 2023 that have been identified

RECREATION & PLAY

• O’BRIEN SKATE PARK upgrades and renovations to be completed

• Addition of new pickleball courts throughout the city

• Asphalt court repairs to parks for improved play and increased partnerships

• Continuing the mobile community recreation initiative with extensive programming in all six of the city’s districts

• Work with partners to continue providing engaging and exciting events within our spaces

• SOUTHEAST PARK will see the addition of a softball field, in partnership with Sappy Moffit. The joint venture would also allow for teaching baseball skills to our community’s youth.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

• CHARLES BLACK COMMUNITY CENTER improvements including: A/V, acoustics, and plaza upgrades

• MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. “DREAM CENTER” groundbreaking and construction to begin in January

• RUM VILLAGE PARK has plans to see improvements to the nature center

OUTDOOR SPACES

Taking on several projects in 2023 to continue to enhance the amenities of our public spaces in South Bend

• 35th Street Wetlands

• Seitz Park completion

• Kennedy Park improvements

• Coal Line Phase 2

• East Bank Trail Improvements and Pedestrian Bridge Study

• Coquillard Splash Pad

• Southeast Park improvements

• Athletic court repairs

• Lasalle Park improvements

• Walker Field improvements

• Muessel Grove restroom remodel

• Signage and branding upgrade

• Addition of 3 urban tree nurseries throughout the city

DEVELOPMENT

• Kicking off the reimagination of Ethnic Festival for the community

• Raising additional funds for the Youth Scholarship Program at the 29th Annual Directors’ Youth Scholarship Golf Outing

• Increasing community awareness of the Skate-it-Forward program

• Additional fundraising for the Morris 100 Capital Campaign initiative, Phase 2

PARTNERSHIPS

South Bend Venues Parks & Arts is committed to creating partnerships which align with our mission in providing inclusive access to all. We are tremendously thankful for these partnerships, allowing us to further provide opportunities to every member of our community.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

100 BLACK MEN

525 FOUNDATION

SOUTH BEND CULTURE CLUB

AUDUBON SOCIETY OF SOUTH BEND/ELKHART

AGAMMAGE SOLUTIONS

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY

BEACON HEALTH SYSTEM

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

CENTER FOR THE HOMELESS

CULTIVATE FOOD RESCUE

DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY

EMPOWERMENT ZONE SCHOOLS

FISCHOFF

FREE YOUR WINGS MENTORING

FUTURE MATTERS

GENTLEMAN & SCHOLARS INC.

GIRL & BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

GROUP VIOLENCE INTERVENTION/SAVE

HOPE MINISTRIES

IMPOWER CENTER

INDIANA BLACK EXPO

INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

IVY TECH

IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

LA CASA DE AMISTAD

LEGENDARY ERA

MIX 106 RADIO

NATIONAL PAN HELLENIC COUNCIL

NOTRE DAME TRIO PROGRAM

OCEANS OF OPPORTUNITY

RECOVERY MICHIANA

ROUGH RYDERS MOTORCYCLE

SALVATION

ARMY KROC CENTER

SAVE OUTREACH

SBI MUSIC GROUP

SBI-REGIONAL

SOUTH BEND ALIVE

SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORP.

SPECIAL OUTDOOR LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY LIBRARY

ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL

TRANSFORMATION MINISTRIES

U93 RADIO

UB LEAGUE

WILD ONES NATURAL LANDSCAPES

YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU

ATHLETIC ORGANIZATIONS

BEACON COMMUNITY IMPACT

BETHEL UNIVERSITY PILOTS

BUILD ‘EM UP DANCENTER

EAST RACE WHITEWATER KAYAKING CLUB

EDGE ADVENTURES

EXTRA ELITE DANCE TEAM

FIRST TEE OF MICHIANA

GIRLS ON THE RUN

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTH BEND LIONS

INDIANA GOLF ASSOCIATION

KIDS FIRST FISH

KROC CENTER

LEGENDARY ERA

LEVELS

MARA

MICHIANA SOCCER ASSOCIATION

NORTHERN INDIANA MOUNTAIN BIKING ASSOCIATION

PGA OF AMERICA

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE

POSITIVE OUTLOOK

PUTT-PUTTERS WOMENS LEAGUE

SAPPY MOFFIT

SOLDIERS BASKETBALL

SOUTH BEND SWIM CLUB

SOUTH BEND TABLE TENNIS CLUB

SOUTHSIDE DISC GOLF ASSOCIATION

ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL

ST. JOSEPH RIVER VALLEY FLY FISHING CLUB

URBAN ADVENTURE GAMES

UNITED STATES TENNIS ASSOCIATION

YMCA OF GREATER MICHIANA

YOGA FOR EVERYBODY

SENIOR SERVICES

CENTER FOR HOSPICE CARE

CHOICES FOR LIFE

FOREVER LEARNING

RALLI/TAKE TEN

REAL SERVICES

ROBINSON COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER

SILVERSNEAKERS

ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

BY THE NUMBERS

48

EVENTS UTILIZING BOOMER, WHICH CONTINUES TO BE A KEY COMPONENT IN BRINGING TOGETHER OUR COMMUNITY.

25+

NEW PARTNERS, TEAMING UP WITH VPA TO PROVIDE NEW PROGRAMMING, EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

2,000

FREE ICE SKATING ADMISSIONS GIVEN TO OVER 40 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN SOUTH BEND

35

PARTNERS INVOLVED IN THIS YEAR’S WEEKLONG, CITYWIDE BEST. WEEK. EVER. EVENT

“

There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward the same goals.”

IDOWU KOYENIKAN

JON R. HUNT PLAZA

THANK YOU TO OUR PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORTERS

South Bend Venues Parks & Arts wants to thank each of our incredible sponsors for their support this past year, whether in-kind or financial contributions.

Ernestine Morris Carmichael Raclin Foundation

Chris & Carmi Murphy • The Carmichael Foundation

Community Foundation of St. Joseph County

Yatish & Joan Joshi • READI Grant

1st Source Bank • Gurley Leep Automotive Family • Tire Rack

AJ & Priti Patel • Barb & John Phair • The Buetter Family Charitable Fund

Cressy Foundation

Greg & Mary Downes

David & Ginny Gibson

Hillman Family Fund

Larry Davis • Linda & Bipin Doshi

Duke & Andy Jones

Jerry Thoma

Jim & Holly Harris

Matthew & Sharon Edmonds

Mark & Carla Myers • Mike & Connie Joines • South Bend Orthopaedics Theater League, Inc. • Tom & Anita Veldman

Brad & Katie Toothaker • Beacon Health System • Dave Matthews

Gary & Mary Graham • Jack & Catherine Hiler • John & Katie Anthony

Kevin & Marijo Kelly • Matt & Janine Kahn • Navarre Hospitality

Patrick & Laura Flynn • Paul & Jess Maich

Alan & Michelle Engel • Barbara Flynn • Craig & Carol Kapson • Frank & Carolyn Antonovitz

John Farrell • Jon & Amy Roush • Kathryn Humphreys • Kathleen Beeler & Brian Regan

Kruggel Lawton CPAs • Mary & Al Harding • Mary Jane Stanley

Nels & Gail Leininger

Patricia L. O’Hanlon-Handshaw • Patty & Coley Brady • Robert & Cheryl O’Connor • Robert Urbanaski

Sopko, Nussbaum, Inabnit & Kaczmarek • South Bend Rotary Charitable Foundation

Spike & Carol Abernethy • Terrance & Jane Mahoney • Timothy & Kimra Lehman • Tony & Charlene Hutti

JEFFERSON STREET BRIDGE

Sweat the City during Best. Week. Ever. showcased a variety of free fitness classes.