By PAULENE POPARAD

The Porter Park Board has heard from 25 residents who returned individual survey forms, but July 15 board members are hoping to hear even more about what the public wants from its parks in the next five years.

The Park Board will devote an hour next month to solicit comment on how to improve the Park Department’s services and facilities. Based on the returned survey forms, board president Zathoe Sexton said it appears, “We haven’t done a good job marketing the parks in Porter.” Some respondents said they weren’t aware what and where some park sites are.

Board members Becky Maranto and Patty Raffin said perhaps a brochure could be developed and a map marking park facilities added to the town website. Member Rondi Wightman was absent.

Of those responding, most said they’ve participated in the Porter park summer program, Easter egg hunt, the Taste of Porter and the Chesterton Art Fair. It was announced at the board meeting Tuesday that the park was notified there will not be a Taste of Porter again this year; the last festival was conducted in 2006 at Hawthorne Park.

The Art Fair is slated for Aug. 2 and 3 at Hawthorne. The board voted 3-0 to allow a $100 reduction to $900 for the fair’s two-day rental fee but to require payment in full for future years.

Regarding other survey results, the most frequently listed activities the respondents participate in are bicycling, use of playgrounds and attending the Taste of Porter and Art Fair; they also enjoy movies, concerts, walking/jogging, swimming, fishing and picnicking.

Half the respondents have used the Hawthorne Park community center, and if given the opportunities for new programs/activities the most highly sought were nature programs/nature walks as well as a swimming pool, concerts/picnic, expanded children’s summer park program, a teen center, farmer’s market, health club, league basketball, bigger playground, rummage sales, and programs in partnership with community groups.

When asked what park facilities are most in need of upgrading, the basketball court was mentioned several times. Residents also want a hike/bike trail, more playground equipment, benches/picnic tables, more facilities at Dune Meadows park and the pond near it cleaned. One person suggested Lake Charles Park behind Steel City truck plaza be extensively cleaned and upgraded or removed from the park inventory.

Senior center fall-out

Park administrator Stephanie Miller reported that the Senior Center formerly operated at the Hawthorne community center by the Porter County Council on Aging is being discontinued. Although lack of attendance was cited as the reason, she said some days there were 25 to 30 seniors participating.

Sexton asked if the seniors who want to use the community center would be allowed to meet there anyway. The Council on Aging had been paying rent for use of the building weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and supplied a director to supervise activities, exercise, social programs and meals, which were delivered.

Raffin asked if the seniors likely would be interested in bringing in their own pot-luck meals. “I certainly don’t want to see our senior citizens not have a place to go,” said Maranto.

Park director Jim Miller said if the seniors continue to use the building, someone would have to be in charge and insurance for the activity addressed. The Council on Aging’s Hawthorne director was asked to attend the Park Board’s July meeting to discuss the matter.

In other business, J. Miller reported he is working with town engineer Haas & Associates on specifications to add a third outdoor electrical supply box for the middle portion of Hawthorne Park. Current Electric of Michigan City will do the $20,800 project slated to begin soon so it’s completed for the July 4 - 6 Porter Sesquicentennial celebration at Hawthorne.

150th plans advance

Brenda Brueckheimer, a member of the sesquicentennial steering committee, updated the Park Board on plans for the event, which will include a teen night with seven bands, a Saturday parade with several entries, Sunday vendors, children’s activities, music, a beer tent and other surprises.

J. Miller inquired about parking at Hawthorne, and Brueckheimer said that is just one area of many where volunteers are needed to assist including walking the parade route giving out free treats and merchandise.

Later in the meeting Park Board members decided rather than sponsor a float in the parade, they would volunteer. “If there’s anything we can help you with, don’t be afraid to designate,” Raffin told Brueckheimer.

Sexton said a long-planned private rental of the community building during the sesquicentennial weekend has been canceled at the renter’s request because of the conflict. Brueckheimer apologized on behalf of the steering committee for the inconvenience but welcomed the opportunity for the center now to be used as a cooling/comfort station during the celebration.

Also Tuesday, the Park Board recommended the Chesterton Art Fair obtain a refundable $35 Porter sign permit to erect a series of signs in Hawthorne Park. To mark the fair’s 50th year signs reminiscent of the small Burma Shave panels will be erected on park property.

Scout troop Pack 928 was given permission to use the east Hawthorne shelter July 12 at no charge for an activity, and the board approved an Aug. 13 public concert at 7 p.m. in Hawthorne by the Rusty Pipes band.

S. Miller said the summer park program is in full swing at Hawthorne with about 40 children attending daily.

Posted 6/18/2008