HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 20, 2026 Park Board Meeting MinutesSOUTH BEND BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING
July 20, 2026 The Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana met on Monday July, 20 2026, at Howard Park Ribbon Town Room, 219 S. Saint 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 Ms. Jennifer Perri
Mr. Sam Centellas
VPA staff members present: Erin Thornton, Executive Director; Anastasia Smith-Davis, Executive Assistant; Dezha Moore, Chief of Venues and Promotion; Amy Roush, Director of Experience and Events; Macey Hanna, Director of Recreation (virtual); Cynthia Taylor, Director of Community
Programming (virtual); Olivia Sanchez, Special Events Manager; Kelli Notteboom, Aquatics Manager; and Mercedes Aguirre, Project Manager. Other city representatives present: Michael Schmidt, Assistant City Attorney; Opheila Gooden-Rogers, 2nd District Councilwoman; Sharon McBride, 3rd District Councilwoman; and Dr. Heidi Beidinger, 4th District Councilwoman. I. Call to Order President, Mark Neal called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm.
President, Mark Neal called the regular scheduled meeting to order and welcomed the newly appointed
Commissioner, Jennifer Perri to the Park Board.
II. Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on June 15, 2026, meeting.
Assistant Attorney, Michael, notified the board that only the Commissioners who attend the June meeting
can make and approval the motion for the minutes.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of June 15 2026, by Sam Centellas, supported by Mark Neal,
motion carried. Roll call vote 2-0.
III. Consent Agenda
President, Mark Neal asked the board if there were any questions concerning the Consent Agenda before
the motion. No questions were asked.
Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins,
motion carried. Roll call vote 4-0.
IV. Interviewing of Interested Residents
Mark Neals informed the audience this portion of the meeting is for residents to discuss matters not
addressed on the agenda.
Steve Sass of 27910 US Highway 20 of New Carlisle spoke briefly about his time presenting in March of
2026. He noticed a portion of the March Park Board minutes being identical to the minutes from the
February 16th meeting minutes. Steve went on to say numerous community members, names some
individually, stating they voiced their concern and their statements were not correctly accounted for in the
minute’s documentation. He asked the Commissioners to consider going back to revise the minutes and
add the comments of those who took their time to attend the March meeting.
He continued by making comments on the Rum Village Masterplan. Observing the mountain bike trail is
off the table but was surprised to see a tree canopy walk instead. From his experience with studying bird
activity in Rum Village, he confessed the last canopy walk negatively impacted the bird nesting
population, he shared his shock that the combined ecological groups missed this. He asked the city to
move forward with any Masterplan to give serious consideration to the plans and how they may effect
natural resources.
The last topic Steve touched on was the Midwest Continental Divide Trail Plan, commenting on the
amount of money spent so far by the city of South Bend and how there needs to be more transparency on
if this involves the Elbel Golf Course or just Mud Lake.
A comment was made by Assistant Attorney Michael Schmidt that the city would review February and
March 2026 minutes. In the case that error is found, an amended version will be presented at the August
meeting for the Commissioners to review and approve. He asked the board clerk, Anastasia Smith-Davis
to investigate the matter.
Derek Deeter of 1740 Portage Avenue asked the board if there were aware of the copy of what he called
the “genesis” to the Continental Divide Trail Plan, the “Ecotourism Planning for the Western Rescue of
South Bend Conceptual Design for the Indiana Continental Trail”.
The board was unaware of the book.
Mr. Deeter continued to give background on the financial investments made with taxpayer dollars and
COSB funds and questioned if the mayor, who is on the printed materials as a contributor, came to the
parks department to discuss.
President, Mark Neal confirmed the board was never got a formal presentation on it.
Continuing, Mr. Deeter complained about the lack of citizen input and asked the board to have a
discussion with the administration about this document and project.
Michael Schmidt asked Derek to allow the clerk, Anastasia, to record the title of the book for our record.
Micael follow up with an update from the AEP Easements. Informing the board the process is ongoing
and that the city is actively in negotiations with AEP regarding the easements at Keller and Hickory,
noting the board authorized Mark Neal to sign documents once finalized and expressed optimism about
reaching a fair compromise.
V. Outstanding Partner of the Month
1. South Bend Police Department
Amy Roush, Director of Experience and Events, shared the parks department felt it important to highlight
the South Bend Police Department as the outstanding partner of the month. Noting how they have been a
positive presence and encouragement to VPA providing exemplary events, programs, and spaces not only
for this year but all the time. She invited the present Officers to make a statement before the board.
Sergent Jarvis shared heartfelt appreciation to the parks department as they work in partnership to provide
the community with safe and engaging experiences. Jarvis spoke on dual partnership more, diving into
some of the core police free events like the annual Schools Out and Back to School cookouts where VPA
is a great help.
Mark Neal thanks the Common Council members who joined the meeting, Ophelia Gooden-Rogers,
Heidi Beidinger, and Sharon McBride.
VI. Use of Parks- New Events
1. Frank Willis Birthday Party
2. North Shore Triangle Summer Concert
3. Taylor/ McGrew Family & Friends Picnic
4. Heffin Wedding
Amy Roush of 301 S Saint Blvd, presented the New Events segment. She detailed 3 of the 4 new events
are new, while one, the North Shore Triangle Summer Concert is a returning event. She followed up with
a quick snapshot of each event, giving a rough estimate of guest count as well as confirming all renters
have the necessary paperwork and insurance.
Motion to approve the Use of Parks New Events, by Sam Centellas, supported by Consuella Hopkins,
motion carried. Roll call vote 4-0.
Mark Neal commented on the number of events the board approved each year, estimating around 75
events. Amy corrected Mark and said it is more around 400 events per year.
VII. Business by Chief Executive Director Erin Thornton
Erin shared the following updates:
• 2026 Kids Triathlon- 140 youth participants, event postponed to Sunday due to poor air quality
• READI 1.0 – closed out the grant award process earlier in the week
• Summer Camp- 235 youth campers across VPA camp sites, MLK, Charles Black, and Pinhook
• Summer Concert Series- 2,300 attendees across the 3 locations for concert series
• 4th of July Celebration- Over 10k joined in the festivities and drone show at Howard Park
• Flag Football- After much interest from our online community, a new program, flag football
league was born
• Adult Recess- July 24th at Charles Black Center
• Annual Ray Comer Pickleball Social
• 2027 Budget underway
• Men’s Major National Tournament at Byers
• Mural Mania- begins July 29th with expanding locations
• Kennedy Aquatic Center- construction team was able to save more trees than expected
• Rum Village- received bids for Walker field
• Seitz- phase construction continuing, park remains open through construction, estimated finish
May/June 2027
• O’Brien- playground and splashpad improvements underway
• MLK- solar panels installed
Vice President, Consuella Hopkins informs Erin the board has not had a chance to review the Kennedy
Park Plans and asked how parking worked while Seitz bridgeway is under construction.
Amy Roush answered the question about Seitz. She said pedestrians have always been welcome to park
on the West side of Niles Ave and how there has been additional signage added to the area to also direct
crowds to the park.
Erin Thornton also confirmed the Kennedy Park plans would be shared with the board.
This concluded the updates by Executive Director, Erin Thornton.
XI. Adjournment
The next scheduled meeting will be held Monday, August 17, at 5:00 p.m. at Howard Park Event Center.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anastasia Smith-Davis