HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 19 2018 Park Board MinutesSOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 19, 2018
The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday, November 19,
2018 at the O’Brien Administration & Recreation Center, 321 E. Walter St., South Bend, Indiana for its
regular meeting. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting were duly given as required by law.
Park Board members present were as follows:
Ms. Consuella Hopkins
Mr. Dan Farrell
Park Board members absent were as follows:
Mr. Mark Neal
Ms. Aimee Buccellato
VPA staff members present: Aaron Perri, Executive Director of VPA; Eva Ennis, Operations
Coordinator; Elizabeth Leachman, Events Coordinator; Kari Bumgardner, Experience Director; Amy
Roush, Volunteer Coordinator; Jonathan Jones, Recreation Director
Other city representatives present: Clara McDaniels, Assistant City Attorney;
I. Call to Order
Vice President Consuella Hopkins called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm. There was not a quorum at the
start of the meeting, so the meeting continued with informational updates only.
II. Interviewing of Interested Citizens
Consuella Hopkins opened the floor for public comments.
Sue Kessem, 4022 Kennedy Drive, suggested that the rink at Howard Park be hockey regulation size. She
commented that on tree ordinance there should be a requirement for education for the community. She
recommended placing sharp disposal containers in parks bathrooms. She suggested collecting plastic caps
that can’t be recycled and do projects with them. She recommended using Martin Green House on
Western Avenue for flower purchases.
Dan Farrell asked if the concern about the ice hockey is coming from Mishawaka announcing that they
are removing their ice rink. Aaron Perri replied that there are preliminary discussions about removing the
ice rink at Merrifield Park but nothing has been decided. South Bend decided to provide a different
experience by offering an ice ribbon and ice pond.
III. Report by Recreation Director Jonathan Jones
Jonathan Jones gave the following updates.
- The Charles Black Community Center opened on November 1 with approximately 400 attendees.
- VPA in Motion is the mobile recreation vehicle that VPA has been working on. The vehicle is
currently under construction. The expected completion is in February.
- VPA Youth Basketball league has 109 kids participating with locations at O’Brien, MLK and
Charles Black Center.
- He highlighted VPA Recreation Team Veterans Moe Scott and Bob Frame.
Consuella Hopkins commented that she has received questions from the community about the bricks
being sold for the Charles Black Center. Jonathan Jones replied that bricks can still be purchased. They
can be purchased online, at the Charles Black Center, or at the O’Brien Center.
IV. Business by Executive Director Aaron Perri
- VPA Staff Holiday Party is December 7
- VPA Tree Lighting Ceremony is December 7
- VPA has a new Graphic Designer, Matt Frazier, and has made an offer for Deputy Director role
who will serve as a Chief Development Officer working strategically on fundraising and
partnerships.
- Howard Park construction is underway including basement walls going up. There is information
about the tree removal on the website. Several reasons for removing the trees: 1. Larger building
footprint. 2. Some trees were diseased. 3. Howard Park floods a lot and we are raising the grade
of the site to help manage storm water in a natural way which meant we had to add 4 ft. There
will be 30% more trees when the park is finished.
- VPA received a $100,000 grant from the Community Foundation for My SB Parks and Trails
Dan Farrell asked about the FSU tailgates. Aaron Perri replied that the Fredrickson Park event was
relocated to Parisi’s parking lot, and the Coquillard Park event went well.
Aaron Perri noted that a few park use requests for events are scheduled before the board meets next time.
Aaron Perri and Clara McDaniels will do research on what can happen to allow those events to still take
place.
The next regular meeting will be held November 19, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the O’Brien
Administration Center.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eva Ennis