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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-13-2011 South Bend Park Department Recognized as Best in State SOUTH BEND ^Alp PARKS RHO RECREATION NEWS RELEASE December 13, 2011 Contact. Phil St, Clair, Executive Director, 574 299 4765 Mark Bradley, Director of Marketing, 574,299,4768 ext 240 South Bend Park Department Recognized as Best in State SOUTH BEND, Indiana — The Indiana Parks & Recreation Association has announced that the South Bend Parks & Recreation Department has been awarded the designation of Outstanding Agency of the Year. This is the first time the association has determined this award, which will be presented at the annual I.P.R.A. state conference in January. The designation comes on the heals of the Department's announcement this year of having been chosen to participate in a national study, the Healthy Communities Research Initiative, which is a program driven by Greenplay, LLC, GPRed and Indiana University. What makes this award more exciting is that South Bend is one of three Indiana communities which have earned the C.A.P.R.A. (Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies) designation. The accreditation by C.A.P.R.A. means the South Bend Parks & Recreation Department is among the top 1% of all park agencies in the United States. "Every day, our citizens use and enjoy our city's parks - from neighborhood parks, golf courses and recreation centers to riverwalks, the conservatory, and community jewels like the East Race Waterway, Potawatomi Zoo and Coveleski stadium. This first-ever recognition by the Indiana Parks & Recreation Association shows that our city parks' administration and programs are unsurpassed in their operations - a model of good government," said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. "Whether it's fitness programs, camps and youth activities or softball at the Belleville Sports Complex, South Bend Parks and Recreation has enhanced our quality of life and contributed to our community's overall health. I'm proud of the work of the many staff that made this achievement possible." - more - Phil St. Clair, Executive Director of the South Bend Parks & Recreation Department, added, 'The recognition by our peers at the I.P.R.A. is certainly special. There are many top-notch park agencies throughout the state, and we are proud to receive this award. It's a fine tribute due to the professionalism of our staff, and work that's done everyday by all our employees. It's a great honor for our parks team here in south Bend." Aside from the South Bend Parks & Recreation Department's participation in the Healthy Research Initiative, the department was awarded the James Farrell Award of Excellence with a perfect 100% rating for this past year's ASA Softball National Fast Pitch tourn- ament held at Belleville Softball Complex. This is the 13th year and 15th tournament South Bend has received the Award of Excellence. The department has received numerous "Best" or "Outstanding" awards for its programs and facilities throughout the years; a list is attached. For more information on Parks & Recreation Department events, facilities, or programs, call (574) 299-4765 or visit www.sbi)ark.org . D SOUTH BEND PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT October 27,2011 IPRA 2011 Awards Program OUTSTANDING AGENCY OF THE YEAR Name of Nominee: South Bend Parks and Recreation Department Statement: The South Bend Parks and Recreation Department has long been established as a key component to the quality of life in South Bend and has a rich and storied history. Howard Park, the first in the system, was developed in 1879 and set the standard for parks in the area. With the adoption by the South Bend Common Council of an ordinance In 1929, the South Bend Department of Public Parks was first formed, its powers and duties were defined, and a taxing district for park purposes under the first class cities legislation was established. Today's park system now includes Potawatomi Zoo, first established in 1902 and Indiana's oldest zoo, Leeper Park and George Kessler Boulevard, both designated as national treasures by the federal Historic Preservation Committee. Located on the historic east race site of the St. Joseph River is North America's first man made white water rapids course and the Belleville Softball Complex on the city's south side continues to host the finest calibre annual tournaments in the region. The inventory of park facilities includes a state of the art fitness center, a competition-designed concrete poured skate park, and Coveleski Stadium which houses South Bend's own minor league baseball team. The South Bend Parks and Recreation Department has earned and maintains C.A.P.R.A and A.Z.A. accreditations. it is celebrating Its le year as Tree City, U.S.A. and it consistently receives awards for excellence in programming, development and operations from both state and national peer and professional organizations. Some highlights of the 2011 year so far include: • Receiving the James Farrell Award for excellence at the Belleville Softball complex. This prestigious award has been earned every single year the the Complex has been open. • Creation and implementation of a Graffiti Abatement Program for the City of South Bend. • Being selected as a Beta-site for the Healthy Communities Research and Surveillance Project in partnership with Indiana University. • Designing and launching a new community-wide music festival in support of the concept of the development of a future Miracle Park for the region's special needs population. • Launching a new website, online registration and customer satisfaction tracking options. • Becoming a leading partner in the creation of the county-wide health coalition including the local schools, hospitals, universities and not-for- profits to address local needs and issues. • Teaming with the Crossings, a youth-development program, for internships with the Department. • As part of the City of South Bend, earned the All American City Award this year. • As part of the City of South Bend, and in partnership with many other community organizations, earning a Bronze level Bicycle Friendly City designation from the American League of Cyclists. • Creation of the not-for-profit South Bend Park Foundation to support and promote the benefits of the agency in the community. • Working with the city administration to create and launch the Healthy City initiative, a program to monitor, educate,track and improve the health of all city employees. Enclosed: Letter of recommendation,Joe Kernan Chronological History of South Bend Parks and Recreation Department Graffiti Abatement Program summary from the Parks' web The Activity Guide,Pall/Winter 2011 Annual Report, South Bend Parks and Recreation, 2010(most current) Disk: PowerPoint of the 2010-2011 program/event offerings. Chronological History of the South Bend Parks & Recreation Department 1879 Ordinance passed to establish Howard Park as South Bend's first park. 1891 City Council creates first Board of Park Commissioners. 1901 South Bend Board of Park Commissioners abolished by special legislature,put under of Board of Public Works. 1902 Leeper Park Is established as South Bend's second park. 1905 Potawatomi Park is established. 1910 Legislature changes,changing authority of parks to the Board of Park Commissioners. 1910 Herman Byer,appointed as first Park Superintendent. 1912 George Kessler develops boulevard system to connect city parks. 1912 A.E.Perly appointed Park Superintendent. 1916 Rum Village Park was acquired for$45,000.00. 1918 South Bend Board of Park Commissioners acquired Pinhook property from County Commissioners. 1920 Potawatomi Park used as a zoo. 1920 Studebaker golf course opens as South Bend's first municipal golf course. 1922 South Bend's first pool,the Harry Engman Natatorium opened in July. 1924 Ordinance passes to build South Bend's first and only Greenhouse. 1925 The Albert Erskine golf course opens. 1937 Richard Elbel retired after serving 28 years on the South Bend Board of Park Commissioners. 1938 Paul Hayes appointed Park Superintendent. 1939 Howard Park administrative building is completed as part to the W.P.A.program. 1941 Pierre Navarre Park opens at the location of the present day O'Brien Park. 1944 Lysly McNabb appointed Park Superintendent. 1950 Kelly Park established. 1951 Veterans Memorial Park established. 1954 Keller Park established. 1954 Bendix baseball park completed,it is now called Kennedy Park. 1954 Sorin park established. 1954 First comprehensive park master plan developed. 1955 South Bend Community School Corp. and the Park Department Recreation Commission, 1955 Paul Boehm named first Recreation Director. 1956 Potawatomi Pool built for$153,000.00 and Bendix Pool built for$190,000.00 and opened in June. 1956 Potawatomi Band Shell built for$23,000.00 and Studebaker Proshop for$42,000.00. 1957 Rum Village shelter house completed. 1957 Storyland Zoo opens at Rum Village. The children train begins operation in Rum Village park. 1958 City's first recreation center opens,donated by Federal Housing Authority. 1959 Park Department signs a 99 year lease with lzaak Walton to establish park. 1959 Beck's Lake and subsequently LaSalle Park was purchased by the Park Department. 1959 Pierre Navarre cabin renovated at Leeper. 1959 Navarre Park is named O'Brien Park,Lombardy Park is now named Navarre Park. 1960 Howard Park Maintenance Building is completed. 1960 Park Department signs lease with S.B.C.S.C.to build Studebaker on existing park. 1960 Voorde Park established,park fully developed in 1963. 1961 LaSalle Park established. 1961 Dutch Elm disease ruins thousands of city trees. 1961 Elbel Park purchased for$35,000.00,later to become Ethel Golf Course. 1963 Park Department sells$800,000.00 in bonds to develop Pinhook,Elbel and Voorde Parks. 1963 Park employees join union. 1963 Ella Morris donates funds for the Morris Conservatory,The Conservatory opens in 1964 1963 George Wheelock Park donated to Park Department.Wheelock Park leased to Izaak Walton. 1964 Pinhook beach opens. 1965 Elbel Golf Course opens at the cost of $550,000.00. 1966 National Guard Armory leased to the Park Department, later named the Newman Center. 1966 Riverside Manor Park established. 1967 Ralph Newman retires after 19 years as Superintendent. 1967 Charles Van Delve named Park Superintendent. 1967 J.D. Oliver Park established. 1967 Muessel Ellison Trust Foundation donated funds for Tropical Garden Facility. 1968 Lasalle Recreation Center Opens. 1968 Leeper Park Tennis clubhouse is completed. 1968 Park Department begins the development of South Bend's first"mini parks." 1969 Teamster local#364 recognized as the bargaining agent for hourly employees. 1969 Fremont Park established. 1970 New county park system is being developed. 1971 Friends of the Zoo organized,later became the Potawatomi Zoological Society. 1971 Jim Seitz appointed as Park Superintendent. 1972 Bendix Recreation Center opened. 1972 Bendix Park and Pool changed to Kennedy Park and Pool. 1972 Boland Park established. 1973 For the first time,Park rules are now ordinances passed by the City Council. 1973 Paul Boehm retires after 18 years as Recreation Director.He is succeeded by Bob Goodrich. 1973 Martin Luther King Recreation Center opens. 1973 First Ethnic Festival. 1974 Rum Village Nature Center opens. 1974 Arizona Desert House opens at the Conservatory. 1975 Bi-Centennial Park completed. 1975 Island Park completed. 1976 Pier Park completed. 1976 Boehm Park established in honor of Paul Boehm. 1976 Dean Johnson Park established. 1976 Belleville's"Sheridan Field"is completed with lighting,dugouts and fencing. 1978 The 56 year old Engman Natatorium closes permanently. 1978 Park Department takes over"Ice Box"ice rink and develops partnerships with other agencies. 1979 First Major Zoo renovation in 52 years at Potawatomi Zoo.Cost Is$1.5 million, 1981 Storyland Zoo closes after 24 years of operations. 1981 Park Department hosts first annual Winter Fest 1982 Five Year master plan completed. 1982 Arthur Fredrickson donated money for establishment of a park. 1982 First Zool Tide at Potawatomi Zoo. 1984 East Race Waterway opens at the cost of$4.5 million. 1984 Fredrickson Park is established. 1985 Seitz Park is established. 1985 Coveleski Stadium bond and funding process begins for the$5.7 million project. 1987 Coveleski Stadium completed at the cost of$8 million. 1987 Fish ladder on East Race completed. 1987 Five year master plan completed. 1988 South Bend White Sox begin to play at Coveleski. 1988 Jim Seitz retires as Park Superintendent after 18 years.Karl Stevens named his successor. 1989 Pinhook Park beach closed permanently after 25 years of operation. 1989 St.Joseph County Vietnam Veterans Memorial established in Howard Park. 1991 Bob Goodrich retires,Tom Shalliol named successor. 1992 Kids Kingdom is built at Potawatomi Park. 1992 Phil St.Clair is appointed Park Superintendent. 1993 Non reverting funds are established for the first time to create dollars for capitol improvements. 1993 Study completed on possible merger of City-County parks,and establishments of park districts. 1994 Leeper Park duck pond is renovated. 1994 Blackthom Golf Course is opened. It is South Bend's fourth municipal golf course. 1994 The"Moving Wall"came to Howard Park to honor Vietnam Veterans. 1994 Park Department restructured to include budgeted divisions within Park Department. 1994 City's first disc golf course opens at Rum Village. 1995 City's fast mountain bike trail and course opens at Rum Village. 1995 S.B.C.S.C.and Recreation Commission dissolves 40 year partnership with Park Department. 1995 Recreation Division is entirely funded by the City Park budget. 1995 Park Department receives$900,000 grant to extend riverwalk. 1995 Park Department established"in house"Concessions Division. 1996 Irrigation system installed Studebakerand Elbel golf courses at the cost of$750,000.00. 1996 Dean Johnson and Studebaker Parks are permanently closed due to construction of schools. 1996 Boehm Park baseball facility is completed. 1996 Kaukema's Courtyard playground is completed at Rum Village park. 1996 Gwen Stiver retires from South Bend Board of Park Commissioners after 17 years of service. 1997 Karl Stevens Memorial Nursery established at Elbel. 1997 Park Department takes over city's special events operation. 1997 Riverwalk completed at a cost of$1.2 million. 1997 The new$1.6 million Belleville Softball Complex opened in June. 1997 Leeper Park is designated a historic landmark by the Historic Preservation Commission. 1998 Five Year Parks&Recreation Master Plan completed. 1998 $500,000 Buddy Bonds Community Center constructed at LaSalle Center. 1998 Recreation Programs TRU Soldiers,B.L.A.S.T.,River City Basketball&"Kid's World" were established. 1998 Park&Recreation Department hosted the 25th annual Ethnic Festival. 1998 Park&Recreation Department and City of South Bend designated"Tree City USA"by the National Arbor Day Foundation. 1999 Belleville Softball Complex hosts its first amateur Softball Association National Championship tournament. 1999 Karl Stevens Tree Nursery dedicated and opened April 6th. 1999 Potawatomi Zoo opens new alligator exhibit. 2000 O'Brien Administration and Recreation Center opened to the public. 2000 Kennedy Family Water Playground facility opened to the public. 2000 Belleville Softball Complex hosts the 2000 Women's Olympic Softball team on July 18th. 2000 Potawatomi Zoo opens new zebra exhibit and greenhouse. 2000 Potawatomi Zoo obtains American Zoo and Aquarium Association National Accreditation. 2000 Erskine Golf Course celebrates its 75th anniversary. 2000 Parks and Recreation Department creates a new marketing division. 2001 Potawatomi Zoo opens new veterinary hospital. 2001 O'Brien Center awarded"Best New Park Facility"by Indiana Parks and Recreation Association. 2001 Parks and Recreation Department creates first"Kid's Triathlon"with 438 entries. 2002 O'Brien Skate Park opens in July. 2002 Belleville hosts an unprecedented two A.S.A.National Championship Tourneys. 2002 Indiana Parks and Recreation Association awarded City Parks Department with Best Recreation Program for B.L.A.S.T.,and best new facility for the O'Brien Skate Park. 2002 Parks and Recreation Department implements"Hearts`n Parks"program. 2003 Parks and Recreation Department website recognized by the National Recreation and Parks Association as"Best of all Class III Cities in the United States". 2003 South East Neighborhood Park opens,replacing former Johnson Park. 2003 IPRA awards Park and Recreation Department"Best New Park Development"for Southeast Park. 2004 Great Lakes Region/NRPA Partnership Award for relationship between Potawatomi Zoo and the Potawatomi Zoological Society. 2004 IPRA Award for Outstanding Park Development for Southeast Park Women's Olympic Softball Team returns to Belleville for a 2nd time. 2004 Child Magazine ranked Potawatomi Zoo as one of the 20 Best Zoos for Kids. 2004 Parks renovate the 32 year old MartinLuther King Recreation Center 2004 IPRA Essential Services award to Hearts N Parks program 2005 New O'Brien 7,500 sq.ft.Fitness Center opened at the O'Brien Center 2005 The South Bend Parks and Recreation and the South Bend Rotary partnership create the Friendship Station Playground. 2005 "Friendship Station"is dedicated and officially opens to the public in Belleville Park. 2005 IPRA Essential Services Award for Promoting health&fitness through Parks& Recreation 2005 IPRA Outstanding Facility Award for the Martin Luther King Jr. Center renovation 2005 Child Magazine names Potawatomi Zoo as one of the top 20 zoos in the U.S.for kids. 2005 Potawatomi Zoological Society provides the C.B.Hunting passenger train as a permanent zoo structure. 2005 The 80 year old Potawatomi Park Pavilion was completely rehabilitated to serve as South Bend's largest outdoor rental facility. 2006 South Bend Swim Club implemented 2006 South Bend Parks&Recreation Dept.receives Award of Excellence from the National Institute of Health and the Department of Health&Human Services for the WeCan Program, and is named one of the first"We Can!"cities in the U.S. 2006 New Maintenance Facility located at 1020 High St. is opened. The old maintenance facility built in 1960 and located at Howard Park is demolished. 2006 Department of Natural Resources recognizes South Bend as Tree City USA for the 10th consecutive year. 2006 Renovation of Pinhook Pavilion Hall completed. 2006 New lion exhibit is completed at Potawatomi Zoo, 2007 Completion of the 1.75 mile river walk along Riverside Drive. 2007 South Bend Botanical Society is formed to create a partnership with the South Bend Parks and RecreationDepartment. 2007 South Bend Parks&Recreation Dept.receives accreditation from C.A.P.R.A. 2007 1PRA Outstanding Service Award to the Department for Dedicated Service to 1.P.R.A. 2007 Renovation of Leeper Park Tennis Courts completed and Grand Re-Opening. 2008 Potawatomi Park Universally Accessible Playground is built and opens to the public. 2008 Women's Olympic Softball Team returns to Belleville for an unprecedented 3rd time. 2008 Community Gardening group,in partnership,begins to use park property at Potawatomi Park for growing of local food. 2008 South Bend Parks and Recreation install their 5th water splash pad in the city parks. Locations include LaSalle Park,Coquillard Park,King Park,O'Brien Park,and Southeast Community Park. 2008 Belleville Softball Complex host 10th and 1 Ith A.S.A.National Championship Softball Tournament and receives it's 10th and 1 Ith James Farrell Award for Excellence as one of the best organized softball tournaments in the U.S. 2008 IPRA Awards for: Essential Service for Health&Fitness: Outdoor Awareness: Wildwood Studio Nature Program lbftetanding Park r)avn1r)mmnnt, Potawatomi Park Universally Accessible Playground Outstanding Service Work: Susan O'Connor 2009 The Opening of the new Chris Wilson Outdoor Performing Arts Center in partnership with the St.Joseph County Community Foundation and the South Bend Rotary Club at Potawatomi Park. 2009 Completion of the Five Year Masterplan Update 2009-2013. 2009 $1.4 million invested in the Potawatomi Zoo and completion of the AZA(American Zoo and Aquarium association)re-accreditation. 2009 Memorandum of Understanding established with the Botanical Society of South Bend for the operation of the Conservatories and Greenhouses. 2009 IPRA awards—Indiana Professional of the Year: Phil,St.Clair,Special Project Award in Creative Revenue—Bounce-O-Rama;Partnership Program Award—Indiana University South Bend Community Connection Partnership. 2010 Partnership with SBCSC"Special Needs Ability Pre-School"(SNAP)program implemented 2010 Completion of the new otter exhibit at Potawatomi Zoo unveiled. 2010$353,547 Community Service Block Grant from the federally administered American Recovery and Reinvestment Act utilized to revitalizing parks and neighborhoods in South Bend. South Bend Graffiti Abatement Program I South Bend Parks&Recreation-Official Web... Page 1 of 3 L SOUTH BEND P R [\ S3 F 6 4 4 L r-, r, P\ r C i F 5 w Home I Activities&Programs I Beautification&Safety I Graffiti Abatement Program Help Keep South Bend Beautiful ! The Graffiti Abatement Program is designed to prevent and control the spread of graffiti within the City of South Bend. This program is a comprehensive approach aimed at linking members of the community with the various departments of the city. In order to prevent and limit graffiti activity, a joint task force consisting of South Bend Police, Neighborhood Code Enforcement,and the Parks and Recreation Department have been assembled.Through the combined efforts of city departments,volunteer groups, and local residents,we can successfully control the spread of graffiti. What If You See Graffiti? k J5 35 If you see graffiti or someone in the act of spraying graffiti,first contact the South Bend Police Department at 574-235-8201, or Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP. Once graffiti is reported to the police department,all abatement concerns pertaining to graffiti on abandoned, public, private, and commercial property can be addressed by contacting the Director of Graffiti Abatement at the South Bend Parks and Recreation Maintenance Building, 1020 High Street, South Bend,Indiana 46601.You may also email in your concerns to imartine(aDsouthbendin.gov, or printout the waiver(.odf or.doc), and fax it to 574-235-5540. httn•//shnark nrnlantivitiPClhPantifir.afinn-anA-safety/graffiti-ahatrmant-nrnaram! i nm/�m South Bend Graffiti Abatement Program I South Bend Parks&Recreation- Official Web... Page 2 of 3 Currently, our graffiti removal service may be available to city residents. Contact the Director of Graffiti Abatement for more details. We Need Your Help South Bendl If you would like to Volunteer to help clean up graffiti please contact Director of Graffiti Abatement at 574-235 -9414.We have a limited amount of supplies available if you need some assistance. South Bend's Joint Task Force Code Enforcement In an effort to better facilitate the City's abatement activities, inspectors from the Code Enforcement Department will report the location of graffiti activities as part of their neighborhood inspections. Code Enforcement can be contacted at 574-235-9486 or by email at custserv(o),southbendin.gov . Parks and Recreation Park crews will inspect neighborhoods and public properties to report all graffiti related activities. Park crews will also be in charge for the removal of graffiti. The Parks and Recreation Department can be contacted at 574-235-9414 or by email at imartine @southbendin.gov . South Bend Police The Police Department will take all calls and track graffiti activity throughout the city. They will forward all site locations to the Graffiti Coordinator who will begin with any abatement procedure that is needed. The South Bend Police Department will be participating in graffiti removal throughout the summer months, and educating youths about the benefits of a community that is free of graffiti. Volunteers We want to keep South Bend looking beautiful. To do so,we need your help tool Help us by reporting all acts of graffiti in our neighborhoods, and throughout the community. Also, in an effort to better facilitate the neighborhood abatement initiative,you can volunteer to help us remove graffiti. For more information on how you, or a group of volunteers can help, please contact the Graffiti Coordinator at 574-235-9414. httn!//s hna rk.nr p,/activitie..s/heautification-and-safety/praffiti-abatement-nropram/ 10/7.7/1011 South Bend Graffiti Abatement Program South Bend Parks&Recreation- Official Web... Page 3 of 3 q^j i� Indiana Laws for Graffiti Definition of Graffiti: • I.C. 35-41-1-12.3 Definition of Community Service: • I.C. 35-41-1-4.6 Criminal Mischief/Penalties: • I.C. 35-43-1-2 Defacement or Damage to Property • Chapter 13 Article 9 Sec 13.90-93 Graffiti Awareness Graffiti Hurts! Graffiti FAQs Graffiti Removal Video We Build Community Through People, Parks & Programs Parks Administration Accreditation and Associations 321 E.Walter St. South Bend, IN 46614 674-299-4765 ! si 574-299-4783(FAX) Y More Contacts " @2011 South Bend Parks&Reaeatlon I All Rights Reserved httn://sbnark.or2/activities[beautification-and-safety/graffiti-abatement-nrogTam/ 10/2712011 I TRIATHLON <t ,y4 ealthy start on activity " Kids Triathlon introduces youngsters to an important lifestyle. DENNIS GLADE Tribune Staff Writer SOUTH BEND — XavierGardahasbeenac- ` ' ePlj& t t3 UsAVt}t ri tive his whole life and he Noah Dltzler teftt apd Ltijce Lemalf ct11o111helrireath`anta I g e ttaRat wants to continue that KtttsrlathlonatpotawatomlPa7k Fornphi+ lewlsltSoIiQen�Tbnecyli trend. The 14-year-old GarciaBBebmY, partfei atedintheIIthan- nual I{ids Triathlon at oursimufei yard$ Lai PotawatomiPark. It was the third honsecu- Plmstnn aatd< tiveyearthatGarcia,whois rSroc� ntYoa 't a sophomore at Clay High case) School has participated n �nq�e°y tlanVarp°l � With a background of ys s�etr > playing football and base all since age six, Garcia ifin began to compete in the biJazetcetes ta3s; ICdsThathlon with the goal ! ss sort ? t s+ t of trying to master another ctd aegtoder Aunxrc rog pgr'� activity. `'' isoze�am1 : "It's just something new +•e Boy aFg1n er c ea c Hosayk y U21(G wee+� .,_ that I haven't tried yet and rs c)d.Assn t Cosner irss{sew I just want to see how good I can do,"Garda said. �BAY:C'9�1+ 15taS tPd7jFW At age 14, Garcia has MeganMcGOnnlckflegl'ns daly� VIIN tgnttootlr'e'tt &tonlAeeginMrrtogw�ets ` reached the age lintit to par- thenyycling'portlondurlag tQen)tiytbelunnln eto@oyeeytNUutmrerl,ts ticipate in this triathlon,but thaKttlaTrlathloh. por�lpfjofjbstrlath�on Mtska t that won't stop him from g9oeoplueyklo- tyo ,; further participation in the then•father,Jun for the sec tns�thTon lje had attended ote n future. and stiafght y 5 1Yns one rs very famUy ism "If I can't find any Johnston;a forwer track onent the way fhey have Ir� ryo� (races), I am going o try head coach at Merrillville peoiie, all around, other .1i i�air 7 t and volunteer here,Garcia Hi School in Mem7lville, ones you have to"stay n a " jl z y 1 said. Intra it a point to do set of bleachers,"Johnston t5 While Garcia has to things to promote activity said. t move on to other races,Ri- with his S. Johnston and Ids sons ley and Cody Johnston are Johnston attended other have had so rrup M—Ifia a . Mtgetting started with the biathlons with his sons in #i}oy will do thr$aso ti s °` getting the past,but the setup to try�n atteiitl�Dig s Riley,9 and Cody,7 trav- eled from Hobart,Ind.,with was better than aSry Youth peto Y ` . P3' h1d(t,Q$d��r ( .. .. d' j 3 ✓ 3 ■ Annum mother= son dance set for Tickets on sale; March 23. Tickets are on sa(e(of fhe eighth annual Mom 86n By NIKKI TAYLOR Dance,sponsored by the Tribune Staff Writer South BOW Parks& Recreation SOUTH BEND dance,for.boys ajfi ary Stefanek and will be at the Palais,Rdyalo inher boys are their annual look- Ballroom lrotn'fi to$3dB'm, h forward a to Ballroom date. March 23 .Gd§t Is 3t per` j C4up18 and$f 6 fq) arch` i For the past rive years,Ste., addUlopalsol lsyeats fanek and her sons 10-yearbid. ' theme Is I I r," twins Garrett and t'rraht,and a 8-year-old Gavin,have been at- Tiokets;Which entmclUde.;, tending the South Bend Parks dancing,refresh ms and a ;4 &Recreation Department's keepsake photo,can be Mom Son Dance. purchased atO'Brien It is an evening of fun,music ' 'Recreation 4eWt ,,321 E. and dandy for boys ages 3 to ' Walter St.,goulh Bend. ` 12,and their mothers• dieglslratlonIwJll be taken,until - "I always thought it was the even t,is Sul) realty special because i always F bf turth6r ifif dim.ation,c JI sawfatherdaughter'dances but (IiM)299-4765 or go to never saw a mother and son,' t Sbpark otg '- weary said: The Stefaneks do the dance up right.The boys are or all get ready for the big tuxes and Mary Custom orders eyerunq.'. a ball gown according to the- '..A limo.picks them u�pp at theme.' their home and takes them;'to.. .` Every year the dance has a dinner,folldw6d by the dance: new theme.Past themes in- "I always tea'se#he boys that crude:Country western,ball I can say that I''m the fast-lady ; night,Chinatown and they ve rode in a hmo cnth;' NASCAR. Mary said. Ws,Ye Ws theme 1S Sahli! $f?e uses the evemin$i a$a '. a n✓o r c¢a ' 3. -R' . .. # �e �fl�1.ery year I go out to the leanung opportunity foF her Gavin Stetanek,fe ddr the s Grantcs fabnc store and I have my sons. - rl nce-svl#h t Irn �ee� 8 e r seam§tress uiake'me a gown "It's a nice wary to show#l�em 'it yearzTt�esoe � s& ��� o ce with the theme,"Mary said "I how to treat a la 011 she'said. Is An ahnuat event#orih�g[efen®ks � a e also have vests and ties made "Then when they start to date with the same pattern of the or 990.11 t married they Iplow what Those are the memQnesX ll "itiren the s dress so the boys coordinate to Clt¢tishz" Y age ou etgoy ttas': with me" The dance copsistoi ets a M is ` ' loiueli as#hey to The themes always get her good turnout,and the moms SBetit _ s o j boys excited for the evening, and their sons dance}ha nigtrt `gut, t s from; 8�0 pt ,= she said. away s 1 of a e: day of the dance M " d tgwbrkntgiq fox o The Mary "I like toeveiy rem or oic takes off work and once the just rqy boys but all the fwys va my sQns,Mara boys Are home from school they and their mothers dan emg', ISn§oing tqC sal( }X90 IMF +r � 3 f y i i fn A ese s ] oi �o�Lers EVENTS ME- V 9 South End fgg ht, party on tap at iNLKenter :1 mum sin an Oster nit a arry Mw,WAS htchullmclude�3pd' ga EOb ch1i�"will take° IK ��� [ Pm SltutdaYat#iteUr6n Lufherng Tr Center. i . 5�( IBL ►(� 15224 TandenAve. -P- " an�who�s ocga t U �, mzmg the ev�nt�saidthere � °� � � � 8 D will be a bounce io...... Owl i gamgs an�pnzes BWomeR � In Tbuch st; ei`eer 3F r en's attareuessbo tl i°e rD h. btssofthe5ou $endpo� de 's umty �Q hie an�1 a artmen``�ss �„ meludmg f x �a 4 i A B eg lunch li ogs, cht s and be ,1 �o'llowed by t�e h`"un�t. The"eve t t ousored 1 �� F ? by fihe fit$ Snn���h~acics" i � � � an toi w 3 rqQ, 0 P t3 $ mx ±, Fj O r aFS O ±1 RV P, 'v 'WAPA�. a�'.Pa >aw Nw 0 'd-A HBO s s AS 0 37x . a�a N ' c $+,y"d °>p �•p �'' a.� a �yp yy y `'� � � � ?'p � � "_' H� �'��a��y� o"''?�.t7 p� °`�,`�q•3"� q 3 Q � c� �"�qy uj•m�� �:WE 8'.-m. 8 i e- 2 11,y�,`� 8a�1 ono 3 ° z ' -PPA9 o � �o &S UK r a c �At� �pp (yq o. � YaJ,`A: $p, Y: cg c'tl, 'l'y `a3 jj pB,aT�o km Al �y {�pp{,*,��'JJpp tt �; tnl s sY `s ' At ES a� 8 `t .+76y, lj+�y00Vi •:i`'�q'g LCAy'Y"' °� x: t i- -s �ij 9i . [ . " 3�p 8 $'8W 'CA �� q 8 P,m UoR 8 .r�q] waaa�,Cp � -c-� i "'" a SY P,•� W yq q *OA A .. �»01 >too > b d vd 48 OR ao"of q o800 0 > , °obi . A °`� '>,m 'a ar b 6 vrsd R� �''Apa '^> .4i.+ A q•cJ tmug 5'i si m -�` ° ao im o8bgq � yyQgdq�ASy ❑oil P4 NA 9i F� 8 ;t ..' . •N Ar p ' .d g ,`p" ° om a F�•� Pa Oo 'cY° ` p � O �g7 6 Pad P � p �y2. pt C-- Oo p rov° �iH `°�•fi . - ( � 0d � Ol O�i 8 q �N a. Z Cq J Ow O G �i r' a� o alp ty� a ° ct 8 pP'9 agA t4 O t�Pa O`F7�7 ma"- w cJU mA+' lm �'c7 AAA P,57.� " i Walk c©mines !3' �. exe�c1se, ed�ci� By QLYBSQ ROSSMMEicifum, with B1' fife Smith ti*srYxepori€ $end Racks a7id Reece SOUGH Bi�!D The£veeki s�so etb0newto Soul Bend Pa}ks and expTar and spmetng Recieahon])epartmentsswlneauidded � ��� OS�n�vwuforms i`Ineedthgexerase,and' 3o�oy- exer"cue I need tq°know .more`' and" g ouCtlo s about e`C1 'ThVem }o1 � ',� k�a�Wa7k is a Etas is�a good o,po2tam- _ �Y Sng dour ty sd3brin� ebaetze ebb is I\ver `oTshaYaka � _; im also "Itsoun$ inte`7eshn �= as �� ����t� s�me ptus the Fasretse.It gales' d ' oh eu• m�m and �o�o ivallcui �xr� I , � ta oan the bfSoth B n elmon, l}st1 QQ on a Tito The Walk She 1Yapc ' d1En listen 'roue "eels sit edr lit' �� '�iii�`S>nal�es lacafions aping the ih�er , ion o mclde the lYaikat9am etieryties Jus£o�r �Uiue of the ca}lheparks dep eat 7usrS of the xebsrte wvsi sbp t p parks an inormal3on provides the rhtl see • ,'+ `�i�Tt}teSt. bsphRiver �n and whaze �p k. ' . e qeifinocast © iC n oni� �o§ee i�pate L-Maybe bouErSOpeaP�lO i l . ey a iSE er to Elie wa'llc its First iue�k �i>�° a ��olearn �i said"he�wouid the tU �� e �arltfi l�cec�see{Ciegmu grow • �d������t�he�ivsr to ,oyt��tl�ar�i�p�nts' , r a s- A IPRA Awards Committee 3210 N Campbell St. Valparaiso,In 46385 October 27,2011 Dear Committee, The South Bend Parks and Recreation Department has been a strong part of the success of the City of South Bend. The services that this department has offered for generations have brought incredible benefit to the citizens of this community. It was my privilege as the former mayor of South Bend to be able to hire the current Executive Director,Mr. St. Clair,and to assist in the formation of the current Parks and Recreation Department as it operates today. In my role as Governor I was able to continue to see the role this parks dept played in the success of the city. Over the recent years of operation,this agency has developed and stretched itself to earn and maintain the very highest standards of professional accreditation,become a very active partner in community building within the city,and been selected to be at the forefront of national research initiatives into health and wellness. In just this past year,the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department has been selected as a beta-site for the development of the Healthy Communities Management and Surveillance Project through I.U.'s HyPR school,launched a Park Foundation,initiated a new website and online registration presence,instituted a city-wide Graffiti Abatement program and created a brand new community-wide music festival for the support of a special-needs park for the region. I have been proud to have been a part of the success of this parks and recreation agency as they continue to raise the bar on serving our community and pursuing excellence within the industries' movement nationwide, I would ask for your serious consideration of the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department as the Outstanding Agency for 2011. Sincerely Joseph E Keman GOVERNOR JOE KERNAN 114 EAST POKAGON • SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46617