HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 12, 2026 Park Board MinutesSouth Bend Board of Park Commissioners
Regular Meeting
January 12, 2026
The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday January 12, 2026, at Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center, 1522 Linden Avenue 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.
*Due to change of location call in option was not available for this 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; Erin Thornton, Chief of Experience Officer; Dezha Moore, Chief of Venues and
Promotion; John Martinez, Chief of Park Operations; Amy Roush, Director of Experience and Events; Macey Hana, Director of Recreation; Phillip Williams, Dream Center Manager; and Evelyn
Mitchell, Superintendent III.
Other city representatives present: Michael Schmidt, Assistant City Attorney.
Call to Order
Mark Neal called the meeting to order at 5:08 pm.
Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on December 15, 2025, meeting.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of December 15, 2025, by Consuella Hopkins, supported by Sam Centellas, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda of January 12, 2026, by Consuella Hopkins, supported by Sam Centellas, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Interviewing of Interested Residents
No residents spoke during this time.
Outstanding Partner of the Month- Girls on the Run Michiana
Executive Director, Jordan Gathers recognized Girls on the Run Michiana for their longstanding partnership with VPA and highlighted their unstoppable impact of thousands of young girls
in our community.
Representatives from Girls on the Run, Amy Cooper Collier and Elizabeth Kubinski thanked the board of Commissioners and VPA for their support and honoring the organization. They spoke
on the incredible 14-year journey of Girls on the Run Michiana and their 5k events. The run has been hosted at Potawatomi Park, an ideal destination for the event as it has been a delight
logistically and with the community. Over the years Girls on the Run has served over 1,000 girls and families, emphasizing the number of first-time
runners at each event. They continued, with the success of each year, the need for volunteers and coaches have increased. Explaining coaching does not require running but is a position
more geared to motivating and supporting the girls. The date of year’s run was confirmed to be May 16th.
The board celebrated the longevity and success of the organization.
A joint photo with the representatives of Girls on the Run and the Board of Park Commissioners was taken.
New Business
2026 Park Hours- Erin Thornton
Chief Experience Officer, Erin Thornton presented the details of the park hours for 2026. She explained the shift in hours, the new hours will reflect a dust-to-dawn open hours policy.
This aims for consistency and improved safety, and clarification that changes will not alter existing trespassing ordinance.
The Commissioners asked Erin to clarify the term “park closed”.
Erin clarified “park closed” refers to the unavailability of amenities and absence of staff, not necessarily physical barriers with restrooms and certain facilities being locked.
The Commissioners questionee the community’s response and enforcement.
Erin noted that the change is primarily for transparency and that staff will continue to monitor parks, but the ordinance regarding trespassing remains unchanged.
Motion for approval 2026 Proposed Golf Rates by Consuella Hopkins, supported by Sam Centellas, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Resolution of the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana, Delegating Certain Administrative Duties Related to LaSalle Park Property Recordation to the City of
South Bend Board of Public Works – Michael Schmidt
City legal representative, Michael Schmidt provided a historical overview of the remediation efforts at LaSalle Park, explaining that all EPA and IDEM standards have been met, and the
next steps is to execute an ERC to memorialize that remediation and notify future property owners.
The board discussed the need to delegate authority to the Board of Public Works to sign and record the ERC for all five parcels owned by both the Parks Department and Public Works.
Michael clarified that the ERC does not affect the environmental quality or delisting process and that the resolution is specific to this action, ensuring the Parks Board remains informed
and involved in property decisions.
Motion to approve the Resolution of the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana, Delegating Certain Administrative Duties Related to LaSalle Park Property Recordation
to the City of South Bend Board of Public Works by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Rum Village Rezoning Application- John Martinez
Chief of Park Operations, John Martinez explained the consolidation of five parcels into one for the Rum Village project, aligning zoning with current and future park uses, and ensuring
compliance with the city’s master and zoning plans.
Director of Recreation, Macey Hanna, reported on a recent stakeholder meeting with five groups, positive feedback received, and plans for a community engagement session on January 29th
at the Technology Resource Center, with a presentation by the site design team. Continuing, the team outlined the goal to complete the full master plan by the end of February, following
the community engagement session.
The Rum Village Neighborhood Association was specifically engaged in the process, attending stakeholder sessions and expressing support for the project.
Motion to approve the Rum Village Rezoning Application by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins, carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Approval of the 2026 Park Board Dates
The Commissioners reviewed the dates presented by the clerk, Anastasia Smith-Davis. The note that January’s original meeting date of January 19th is a national holiday and decided to
move the meeting up a week to January 12th. The Commissioners found no discrepancies with any other dates.
Motion to approve the 2026 Park Board meeting dates by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins, motion carried. Roll call vote 3-0.
Report by Chief Experience Officer Erin Thornton
Erin begins her presentation by introducing her Experience team, Brian Garner, Evelyn Mitchell, Paul Moreland, Amy Roush, Mychael Winston, and Taloni Reese. The team launched a digital
reporting tool for incidents and work orders, began a restroom enhancement project to install automatic locks, and emphasized the importance of safety for CAPRA reaccreditation.
She continued with custodial updates. Evelyn Mitchell’s custodial group achieved full staffing, implemented monthly audits, and insourced rug maintenance for cost savings and improved
facility branding.
Downtown operations updates included over 300 downtown assets were entered into the City Works program for real-time tracking, and three new part-time engagement ambassadors were hired
to support events and community engagement. The ambassador team focuses on human engagement , supporting events, interacting with businesses and visitors, and plans to expand services
to additional areas after formalizing the downtown program.
Recent events included the New Year’s Eve drone show with over 1,000 attendees, and upcoming events at the Raclin Murphy Encore Center, including performances, a ribbon cutting, and
community open house.
Business by Chief Executive Director Jordan Gathers
Jordan expresses gratitude to the leadership of Mayor Mueller, the Common Council, Park Board Commissioners, and VPA teams for their support and briefly highlights their growth and success
in programs and events. He continued to give the following updates:
Kennedy Park’s design is nearly 90% complete, with plans to begin construction after bidding this year and a target opening around July 4th, 2027.
Byer’s project received over $300,000 investment for the softball complex, with tournaments and registrations already scheduled, and Walker fields connectivity to Rum Village was highlighted
as a transformational development.
Excited for the never-ending encore at the Raclin Murphy Encore Center. Grand opening series of community accessible events starting at the end of January.
The Commissioners discussed leveraging new and renovated facilities such as the Raclin Murphy Encore Center for signature events like Daddy Daughter Dance and Mom Son Dance, aiming to
maximize community access and engagement.
Director Gathers emphasized the importance of community input, referencing past engagement sessions and the use of visuals aids to inform and gather feedback for park designs.
This concluded the updates by Executive Director, Jordan Gathers.
XI. Adjournment
The next scheduled meeting will be held Monday, February 16, at 5:00 p.m. at Howard Park Event Center.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anastasia Smith-Davis