HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 20, 2023 Park Board MinutesSOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
March 20, 2023
The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday, March 20, 2023,
at Howard Park Event Center, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd and virtually on Microsoft Teams for its regular
meeting. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting were duly given as required by law. The
public was provided with a link to join the virtual meeting.
Park Board members present were as follows:
Mr. Mark Neal, President
Mr. Sam Centellas
VPA staff members present: Aaron Perri, Executive Director of Venues Parks & Arts; Emily Sims, Chief
Development Officer; John Martinez, Chief of Park Operations; LaResha Johnson, Charles Black
Community Center Manager; Hannah Francis, Special Events Manager; Amy Roush, Director of
Development,
Other city representatives present: Jenna Throw Assistant City Attorney, Council Member Troy Warner.
I. Call to Order
Mark Neal called the meeting to order at 5:08 pm.
Mark Neal deferred to Jenna Throw for legal guidance on the correct actions for the Park Board to take
because there was not a quorum present.
Jenna gave the advice that the Board could not take any official action, including receiving information
from staff or community partners or taking a vote on any agenda items, but it would be acceptable for the
Executive Director to recognize the Outstanding Partner which is item IV on the agenda.
IV. Outstanding Partner – Lighthouse Autism Center
Aaron Perri introduced the outstanding partner Lighthouse Autism Center and welcomed the two
employees who joined the meeting in person. Cora Meeks, Family Outreach Coordinator, and Allison
Gonyon, Marketing Manager thanked VPA for choosing to work with them on the first Low Sensory Ice
Event. Cora shared that the Lighthouse location locally serves 125 families. They do evaluations for
children aged 2 -8 and have treatment plans for children 2 – 17 years old. They also offer speech therapy.
Allison shared that she is responsible for Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa and is looking forward to
working with VPA to increase education opportunities through sponsorships.
Sam Centellas asked for more details on the Low Sensory event that was held at the Howard Park Ice
Trail and Cora shared that there was an increase in staff to assist outside on the ice. There was also
dimmed lights both inside and outside, the music was low, and there was a dimmed quiet area inside the
building for participants to be able to decompress.
A photo was taken with the Autism Lighthouse team, Aaron Perri, and the Park Board members present.
XI. Adjournment
No other questions or comments from the Park Commissioners, meeting adjourned at 5:16 pm by
President Mark Neal.
The rescheduled meeting will be held Monday, March 27, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at Howard Park Event
Center and virtually.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Roush