The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2017 Annual Report of the PARC Committee 4SOU T8 8F I,♦l O �p yyy V ,V i� Fred an Clerk's Office 1865 DEC 13 2017 Randy Kelly KAREENlAH FFoWLER 3rd District Council Member Ctzy!;LERK,SOUTH BEND, IN To: South Bend Common Council Office of the City Clerk From: Council Member Randy Kelly, PARC Committee Chairperson Date: December 13, 2017 2017 Annual Report of the PARC Committee With support from the South Bend Common Council, its PARC Committee and the South Bend City Administration, 2017 was a milestone year for the Department of Venues, Parks and Arts. Through the leadership of Aaron Perri,the department embarked on an initiative to make the largest investment in parks in South Bend's history, hosted one of South Bend's most attended week-long community events and operated in 2017 as a new department. VPA has also done groundbreaking work that has been recognized at the national level, including being the first non-top 100 city to have a ParkScore, a tool that provides extensive data on our park system's resources and accessibility for the community. The Common Council should be proud of their support of the team's work over the last year to reach these accomplishments in addition to many others. Our 2017 highlights include: • Public Planning Riverfront Parks &Trails Conceptual Framework completed • Best Week Ever inaugural year; 50,000 attendees throughout the week • Ecological Advocacy Committee created a Natural Resource Management Plan as recommended in the Parks Master Plan and in the Elbel Advisory Committee recommendations • Various neighborhood projects completed including Fremont Park Splashpad and Kelly Park redesign and ADA Accessibility • VPA Ambassador Program instituted in mid-June • ParkScore process completed in partnership with Trust for Public Land • Howard Park Lodge renovated and occupied • Orbis Environmental Consulting completed a natural resource inventory and management plan for Elbel Park. • Lavender Labyrinth at Leeper Park established in partnership with Madison School STEAM program 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.Rm.441 Office: (574)235-9321 FAX: (574)235-5575 County-City Building South Bend,IN Voicemail: (574)235-5981 TDD: (574)235-5567 46601-1830 Email:.RKELLY @SOUTHBENDIN.GOV 4SOUTH d F � U _ d W rFwCF y M • 1865 Randy Kelly 3rd District Council Member • Venue operations analysis completed by 3rd Party consultant, HVS,recommending the joint management of city-owned venues (Palais Royale, Morris Performing Arts Center, and Century Center) • Civic Center Board of Managers changed bylaws to include oversight Morris Performing Arts Center, Palais Royale Ballroom in addition to the Century Center • Viewing Park renamed Gov. Joe Kernan Park • Recreation developed new mission statement: "We cultivate recreational opportunities to unite South Bend." • Agreement for Regional Cities $5 Million Grant finalized • Private fundraising efforts raise over$200,000 in operational support • Awarded$1.5M Judd Leighton Foundation grant for Howard Park • Demolition of Howard Park Recreation Center completed; design for new building underway • Two urban tree nurseries established at vacant city-owned lots • Charles Black Recreation Center construction began; anticipated completion of September 2018 • Record special event attendance • South Bend Cubs record season attendance for fourth year in a row • Unanimous passage of new Park District Bond and Redevelopment TIF Bond • VPA Deputy Director Jeff Jarnecke hired • Morris Performing Arts Center awarded"Prime Site Award" for 12th consecutive year by Facilities and Event Management Magazine • Morris Entertainment Inc. and Parks Foundation merged to form VPA Foundation • First Morris pre-show event: Memories of Motown • First permanent dog park location announced—Rum Village (at the old Safetyville location) • Restoration of Jon Hunt Plaza Fountain in front of Morris Performing Arts Center • Completed Energy Savings Performance Contract at Century Center • VPA takes over maintenance of new roundabouts and Smart Streets landscaping • Over$100,000 in savings realized from combining service maintenance contracts throughout all of VPA • First publishing of SPARK Magazine replacing the Parks Program Guide • Agreement formed with Studebaker Fountain Fundraising Committee to provide funding for the installation of the fountain at Leeper Park once fundraising is complete. 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.Rm.441 Office: (574)235-9321 FAX: (574)235-5575 County-City Building South Bend,IN Voicemail: (574)235-5981 TDD: (574)235-5567 46601-1830 Emai1:.RKELLY @S0UTHBENDIN.G0V SpU T8�� U � d W re►cs a e tea? r-T w ■ 1865 Randy Kelly 3rd District Council Member My sincere thanks go out to all who worked to support the exciting developments in our city's venues,parks and arts community. Respectfully Submitted by: Randy Kelly 3rd District Common Council Representative PARC Committee Chair 227 W.Jefferson Blvd.Rm.441 Office: (574)235-9321 FAX: (574)235-5575 County-City Building South Bend,IN Voicemail: (574)235-5981 TDD: (574)235-5567 46601-1830 Email:.RKELLY @SOUTHBENDIN.GOV