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REGULAR MEETING October 23, 2017
<br /> Adam Toering, 236 South Notre Dame Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated that, as a citizen, Howard
<br /> Park was a major factor that led him and his family to choose to live near the park; as the Deputy
<br /> Director of the Historic Preservation Commission, Mr. Toering stated that he has been fortunate
<br /> to be growing a relationship with the Park Department as they continue to maintain and build on
<br /> the City's historical assets.
<br /> Beth North, 54747 Merrifield Drive, Mishawaka, IN, stated that she has used the trails in South
<br /> Bend to train for marathons and that she has participated in numerous walks for different causes,
<br /> and she has seen families come to these walks who have children in vehicles that the current
<br /> trails don't accommodate. Ms. North stated that the upgrades along the trails and to the amenities
<br /> of the City's parks will be a huge bonus for the area. She stated, The most important thing of all
<br /> is that we need to improve our health, and if we're out walking, biking, and talking to each other,
<br /> doing yoga on the park lawn, we will all be in better health and we'll all feel better.
<br /> Jonathan Jones, 2203 Basin Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I'm fully in support of this project
<br /> because I feel that it really exemplifies the social equity that the City is really looking for.
<br /> Luella Webster, 701 East Howard Street, South Bend, IN, stated that there was a time when
<br /> Kelley Park was deplorable, and it took petitioning from residents and their children to get the
<br /> ball rolling on renovating the park. Today,the park that most children once avoided can now
<br /> regularly be seen entertaining fifty (50)to seventy-five (75) children, Ms. Webster stated. She
<br /> urged the Council to support this bill.
<br /> Beth Sanford, 1013 North St. Peter Street, South Bend, IN, stated that she has worked with Ms.
<br /> Webster for the past few years, helping to renovate Kelley Park. Ms. Sanford stated that she is
<br /> excited to see Howard Park's transformation.
<br /> Mary Bundy, 318 South Francis Street, South Bend, IN, echoed Councilmember Williams-
<br /> Preston's statement regarding spreading the wealth of these parks. Ms. Bundy stated, We can't
<br /> all have a zoo within walking distance, we can't all have the most amazing splash pad, we can't
<br /> all have those amazing trails in Rum Village—but they're accessible. I can go there, and nobody
<br /> is going to say, "Oh, do you live in this neighborhood?"No—it's a city park. It's all of ours.
<br /> Myron Larimer, 402 East South Street, South Bend, IN, stated, Great cities have great parks, and
<br /> great parks help build great cities. You will see more people choosing to relocate to areas that
<br /> have great recreational opportunities for their quality-of-life, and you will also see more people
<br /> choosing to stay.
<br /> Darrell Pargo, Sr., 727 California Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated that he has watched the parks
<br /> in South Bend go from good to great, and the people who use these parks have noticed. Mr.
<br /> Pargo stated, I know that within time, if you can support this program, it will go from good to
<br /> great to become awesome.
<br /> Vicki McEntire, 1233 East Erskine Manor Hill, South Bend, IN, stated that she is Co-Chairman
<br /> of the Studebaker Electric Fountain, and that they hope to bring the fountain back to the City in
<br /> Leeper Park. Ms. McEntire stated that they have raised over eighty percent (80 1/6) of their
<br /> monetary goal to pay for the fountain. She urged the Council to support this parks bond.
<br /> George Friend, 221 East Colfax Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated that the relocation he and his
<br /> wife made to downtown South Bend was a great one (1), and that he is in full support of
<br /> enhancing the trails and parks in the City.
<br /> Barb Sutton, 528 Ostemo Place, South Bend, IN, stated that she applauded the Parks Department
<br /> and project team for all the inclusion of residents involved in the process. Ms. Sutton stated that
<br /> she is excited to see the community pay this forward to the children and grandchildren and great-
<br /> grandchildren of the future. She stated, On behalf of my neighborhood, we say yay.
<br /> Sara Boukdad, 319 East LaSalle Avenue, South Bend, IN, stated that the Parks Department has
<br /> shown that it cares about the community. Ms. Boukdad referenced a case where shots had been
<br /> fired at her local park in 2016. The event had created a lot of fear but not much trust in the City.
<br /> The community had a picnic, despite the shooting, and Mayor Pete Buttigieg attended. The Parks
<br /> Department subsequently helped to revitalize the park. Ms. Boukdad stated,Not only does that
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