Picking up litter, particularly after weekends, is one way to help maintain LaPorte's parks. (Photo provided)
When LaPorte officials announced this spring that lack of funds would result in reduced park maintenance, volunteers stepped up.
Some individuals and groups showed up at various sites to pick up litter. Others called LaPorte Parks Superintendent Dean Heise and asked if they could mow certain areas or do other work.
A lot of park workers' hours are eaten up repairing park property after vandals strike. (Photo provided)
Heise sent the following information to WNLP about park needs, and we hope to serve as a source of communication for such news in the future. We also encourage volunteers to send information about upcoming efforts planned at the parks, and to take photos of such work and send them to wnlp@whatsnewlaporte.com.
Park areas in need of “adoption”
The Park and Recreation Department encourages individuals, groups and organizations to “adopt” certain park areas. Mowing, trimming, and litter pick-up are needed in neighborhood parks throughout our city.
Parks in need of care are: Scott, Koomler, Allesee, Clark, Lindewald, Warsaw, Kiwanis/Teledyne, Ben Rees, and Rumely. Additional parcels include triangle parcels on Rose Street. Push mowers, rider mowers, and trimmers could perform these tasks.
Other adoption projects include:
– (1) Setup and cleanup for concerts in Fox Park on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout summer;
– (2) Cleaning picnic shelters prior to weekend uses;
– (3) Litter/seaweed pickup at Stone Lake Beach before and after weekends;
– (4) Cleanup of the Skate Park in Fox Park.
If you’re interested in helping out with any of these tasks, please contact the park department at 326-9600.
Restroom hours in LaPorte parks — Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
– Kesling Park at walking trail – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
– Kesling Park at Fort La Play Porte and shelters – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
– Fox Park at Ron Reed Field – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
– Lindewald (City) Park — for rentals as needed, and during horseshoe pitchers league events.
– Kiwanis/Teledyne Park — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
– Soldiers Memorial Park behind Cummings Lodge — weekends 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and for T-ball programs during evening hours Monday through Friday.
– Lions Field – open for slow pitch league games during evening hours throughout the week.
– Stone Lake Beach House – Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NOTE: Opening and closing times are approximate due to travel time for the staff person making opening/closing circuit for all restrooms.
