HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 19, 2025 Park Board MinutesSouth Bend Board of Park Commissioners
Regular Meeting
May 19, 2025
The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday, May 19, 2025, 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
Ms. Consuella Hopkins, Vice President
Mr. Sam Centellas
VPA staff members present: Jordan Gathers, Executive Director; Anastasia Smith-Davis, Executive Assistant; Amy Roush, Chief of Development; Erin Thornton, Chief Experience Officer; Dezha
Moore, General Manager of Venues; Macey Hanna, Director of Recreational Experience; Cody Risedorph, Director of Golf, Khawla Amouri, Director of Finance; Evelyn Mitchell, Superintendent
III; and Olivia Sanchez, Special Events Manager.
Other city representatives present: Michael Schmidt, Assistant City Attorney.
Call to Order
Mark Neal called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on April 21, 2025.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of April 21, by Consuella Hopkins, supported by Sam Centellas, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda of May 19, by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Interviewing of Interested Residents
No residents participated at this time.
Use of Parks: New Events – Amy Roush
President, Mark Neal introduces the section and invites anyone from the VPA team to discuss the events on the agenda.
Amy Roush, Chief of Development, greeted the Commissioners and began updating the Commissioners of the increasing popularity of renting Leeper Park and Rose Garden. Amy celebrated the
additions of the new events and shares hopes that these events will become reoccurring. Continuing, she went into details about the following events: Girl Gang Michiana Prayer Picnic,
Prolific Got Talent, Heat Check Showcase, Indiana Health Centers Back to School Health Fair, and HealthLinc St. Joe Co. NHCW 2025
Event. She clarified there are events on the calendar that are hosted by city employees and confirms that they will not operate as city employees while hosting the events.
President Neal questioned if all the organizations are all covered with the proper documentation. Amy confirmed each organization has completed all the necessary proper paperwork.
Motion to approve the Use of Parks- New Events by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
New Business
Mural Mania- Amy Roush
Amy Roush presented the plan for Mural Mania in downtown South Bend, seeking approval to include the pedestrian bridge at Howard Park as a potential site for a new mural. She pointed
out the current mural on the pedestrian bridge was completed over 15 years ago and is now outdated. Continuing she shared the current mural was a compilation of how the Notre Dame student
artist perceived South Bend and Notre Dame. Amy confirmed the artist(s) have not been identified but will be confirming other locations for the murals and stated the lead artist, Alex
Ann, will be present at June’s board meeting.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions concerning the exact location of the mural on the pedestrian bridge.
Amy confirms the area and mentions she thought it was important to present now as the event generally happens in July and wanted to make sure the Park Board was aware and approved and
that this request was on public record.
Commissioner Sam Centellas questioned if there were any credited artist that would need to be communicated with about the new mural.
Amy confirms the current mural was done by previous Notre Dame student government teams.
Motion to approve the pedestrian bridge in Howard Park by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll-call vote 3-0.
Report by Organization- First Tee
President Mark Neal welcomes Jenny Zimmerman to present for First Tee.
Jenny Zimmerman provided an update on the First Tee program, highlighting the growth in participation, new partnerships, and various events and achievements of the participants. Jenny
went into detail about the growth First Tee has seen over the last few years and shared they currently have three classes filled for the upcoming year. She also mentioned several events,
including the Girls Golf program, which has seen increased participation, and the Kids Play Free program, which continues to be popular and is being tracked more effectively with the
help of VPA Golf Director, Cody Risedorph. She celebrated the Geirls Golf program run by teenagers that were once First Tee participants and that the program is one of their most successful.
Jenny continued her presentation with the new partnerships with organizations like Notre Dame men’s and women’s golf teams, who have actively been involved in coaching and mentoring
participants. She segways into First Tee’s achievements, by sharing several of their students have achieved significant milestones, such as attending national leadership academies and
participating in
national golf competitions. One student, Jacob Taez, attended a leadership symposium in Minneapolis and is now working as a caddie and coach. Jenny concludes her presentation with a
brief discussion of future plans, including partnerships with local schools, expanding Youth on Course program, and focusing on increasing participation in the skills challenges for
schools.
The Commissioners thank Jenny for presenting and congratulate her on the programs success.
Department Report by Dezha Moore
General Manager of Venues, Dezha Moore began her presentation by providing a detailed overview of the performance and events across the various venues, including the Century Center,
Morris Performing Arts Center, and Palais Royale. She moves on to report on the Century Center, stating the venue has hosted over 145 events, including proms, conferences, and concerts.
She mentions the venue continues to engage with the community through various events. Continuing she spoke about the Morris Performing Arts Center having 28 events during the first
quarter of the year with ticket revenue exceeding $149,000. The venue hosted its first sold-out show with Bob Dylan since 2004. She then touched on the success of Palais Royale, who
saw a 25% increase in events and a $5,000 increase in revenue compared to the first quarter of 2024. This venue continues to host university events, corporate events, and weddings.
Dezha moved her presentation along with giving the Commissioners insight into accessibility improvements. She highlights efforts to improve accessibility at the Morris, including a
new seating map that shows the amount of legroom available in different sections of the theatre. She also talks about ticket fee transparency. She shares the Morris has removed the
$5 order fee and increased the historic preservation fee to retain revenue. Dezha ends her presentation by taking about current projects like the parking garage security project and
new camera placement within the garages, and Raclin Murphy Encore Center construction. Updating the Commissioners that the ongoing construction is ahead of schedule and hopes to open
in January of 2026.
The Commissioners share their excitement for what is taking place within the Venues and thank Dezha for her time.
Business by Executive Director Jordan Gathers
Jordan begins by thanking Dezha Moore and the Venues team for their incredible work. Jordan celebrates the District 2 Councilwoman, Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers for attending the meeting and
welcomes Erin Thornton, the newly appointed Chief Experience Officer. He continued with his updates:
Entering into budget kickoff season – excited to continue efforts to provide long term stability for community
Excited for the start up of Fridays by the Fountain tour. Concerts will take place in 4 different park locations, including Seitz park.
Seitz park is set to be back online soon
Linden Avenue Farmers Market has returned home to the MLK Dream Center. The past market seen the most attendees in 5 years.
Bike to Work Week saw yet another successful event
National Kids to Park Day will be hosted at 3 park locations; O’Brien, Pinhook, and Leeper.
Byer’s Groundbreaking was a success. This project secured $3 million in funding from the State and park will see many enhancements and additions.
South Bend celebrates it’s 160 birthday on May 22nd. Community will be able to enjoy events, and specials deals throughout the remainder of the year, details to follow.
Reminder to mark calendars for the 1st Sneaker Art competition in Howard Park on June 6th.
Excited for Fusion Fest 2025 on September 27th & 28th. Celebrating 3rd year in a row.
Jordan concludes his updates.
Adjournment
No other questions or comments from the Park Commissioners, meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm by President Mark Neal.
The next meeting scheduled will be held Monday, June 16, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at Howard Park Event Center and virtually.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anastasia Smith-Davis