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Chapter Two Parks Profile ST. JOSEPH COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION & PARKS COUNTY JOSEPH ST.

12 St. Joseph County Parks Five Year Master Plan 2019-2023 TROYER GROUP 13 MISSION "St. Joseph County Parks will enrich the community and the lives of St. Joseph County residents by conserving and caring for significant natural areas, promoting understanding and stewardship of our unique natural and cultural heritage through innovative programs and services, and enhancing visitor experiences through well- maintained park facilities." VISION “Continuing the Legacy of Greatness!”

14 St. Joseph County Parks Five Year Master Plan 2019-2023 TROYER GROUP 15 PARKS DEPARTMENT 2014-2018 2014-2018 GOALS PROGRESS SUMMARY The St. Joseph County Parks previous Five Year • Replaced doors and windows for White Barn GOALS AND STRATEGIES Master Plan spanned from 2014 through 2018. (St. Patrick’s County Park) In that plan, five goals were established for the • Created Studebaker history interpretive Parks Board and/or department. A synopsis of display in Nature Center (Bendix Woods each follows, with highlights of accomplishments County Park) PROTECT AND ENHANCE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES on each goal. Encourage and Promote Outdoor Activities • Reduce invasive species • Seek opportunities to add park land in underserved areas Protect and Enhance Natural Cultural • Maintain pond health • Foster green and sustainability initiatives that Highlight Natural Resources Resources • Landscape with native plants • Quantify the environmental value of the parks’ green (2017) The interpretive team launched Tales to • Control nuisance wildlife space (2017) St. Joseph County Parks received the Trails, a literacy and environmental educational • Restore stream shorelines • Develop interpretive displays and signage that tell the Parks, Program and Facilities Award from the • Add park land contiguous to existing parks stories within the parks program for first graders with seven visits in the Great Lakes Park Training Institute for the classroom incorporating a book and a hands-on 1 partnership with the University of Notre Dame- habitat activity, and culminating in an outdoor Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF) session at Bendix Woods County Park. Multiple ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THAT HIGHLIGHT NATURAL RESOURCES at St. Patrick’s County Park. lessons with students effectively re-enforce • Create programs that promote healthy • Design programs for the Boomer generation (2015) A bald eagle pair established a nest within science principles and build appreciation for local lifestyles • Create cooperative programs with ND-LEEF natural resources. • Create fitness-related programs • Enhance communications with teachers the park and fledged one young. It, along with a • Market to new user groups • Promote partnerships with universities similar nest in 2018 at Potato Creek State Park, (2017) A record 4,000 people participated in • Establish new program partnerships • Develop adventure programming was the first successful bald eagle nest in St. canoe/ or paddleboard rentals based out of • Enhance entrance signage Joseph County in approximately 80 years. St. Patrick’s County Park. • Promote connections to nature for children 2 (2015) Over 2,500 evergreen saplings were (2015) In partnership with ND-LEEF, 18 national planted by staff and volunteers at Bendix Woods journalists visited from around the Midwest for a County Park for the restoration of the Studebaker conference on climate change media coverage. PROVIDE FUNDING AND SOUND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PARKS, PROGRAMS, AND OPERATIONS Tree Sign, which is on the National Register of Additional progress includes: • Enhance employee workspaces and • Strengthen the Park Foundations Historic Places. • Incorporation of Boomer programs : environment • Invite millenial generation into leadership roles Additonal progress includes: • Expand volunteerism • Utilize grants to fund projects and programs Adventure Series in Spring-Summer and Fall • Establish Beverly D. Crone Restoration • Maximize revenue from programming • Removed honeysuckle and autumn olive from Walking Series (St. Patrick’s County Park) Area in partnership with Department of • Implement cost-saving initiatives old barn foundation with help of Boy Scouts • Offered a 5k run / 3k walk in August each year Public Works • Upgrade technology (St. Patrick’s County Park) • Partnered with the Mayor’s Bike Ride (St. 3 • Treated phragmites at ponds and parking Patrick’s County Park) areas (Spicer Lake Nature Preserve) • Purchased portable holes for foot golf IMPROVE AND UPDATE PARK FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT • Brush cut around Studebaker Tree Sign to • Pave roads and parking lots • Create use plan for amphitheater help define and clear out dead plant life • Established a trail running group (St. Patrick’s • Upgrade picnic buildings and shelters • Update rental equipment, such as skis, canoes, life (Bendix Woods County Park) County Park) • Complete infrastructure repairs and jackets • Held programs including: Passport to Play, improvements • Cleared Callery Pear trees near 9-11 Memorial • Develop amenities that establish parks as destination fall hayrides, Dunes Birding Festival, • Upgrade snow equipment sites (St. Patrick’s County Park) Disc Golf Tourney, WNIT Day in the Park, and • Update machinery such as bulldozers, • Improve accessibility and address upgrades as facilities • Nest depredation for goose control (St. Healthwin fishing for senior living community mower, groomers are repaired and renovated Patrick’s County Park and Ferrettie-Baugo 4 • Installed new logo signage at all parks Creek County Park) DEVELOP AND ENHANCE TRAILS (WITHIN PARKS AND WITHIN THE COUNTY) • Obtained costs for goose repellent treatment • Expanded partnerships with Tales to Trails for at Pfeil Pavilion area (St. Patrick’s County Park) Perley School and middle school activities for • Improve trail signage Greene School. • Develop surfaced and measured walking trails • Collaborated with SBVPA and Mishawaka • Continue work/construction of the LaSalle Trail Parks on goose control strategies • Created several programs with ND-LEEF: • Establish fitness trail Science at Sunset, Science Sunday, and • Cleared invasives and encroaching shrubs • Work with like-minded entities to foster trail connections and community connectivity various programs related to bald eagle by stream as part of Eagle Scout project (St. nesting (St. Patrick’s County Park) 5 Patrick’s County Park) 16 St. Joseph County Parks Five Year Master Plan 2019-2023 TROYER GROUP 17 • Enhanced communication with teacher (2015) Replaced four utility vehicles with new partnerships (Bendix Woods County Park) Bobcats with funding from the Cumulative Capital • Expanded partnerships with universities Fund. • Incorporated Nature Play Day into Passport to (2015) Key construction and maintenance Play series (St. Patrick’s County Park) projects included repairs to failed electrical and water lines, installation of a dry well, roof repairs, • Hosted glow-in-the-dark disc golf (Ferrettie- storage building remodeling, installation of baby- Baugo Creek County Park) changing stations, and trail bridge work. • Launched revamped website Upgrading facilities and deferred maintenance Provide Funding and Sound Administration of are ongoing issues for the County Parks with the Parks, Programs and Operations new items being added to the list each year while funding remains limited. Each year the (2017) The St. Joseph County Parks Foundation department analyzes its biggest needs and participated in Give Local St. Joseph County with assesses the available budget to determine which 72 other area non-profits. Funds raised benefited projects can be completed. Many of the action the Parks endowment fund and the LaSalle Trail. items still need attention on this list, but progress The Parks Foundation ranked fifth overall in the is continually made. number of gifts received. (2017) Partnerships were created and signficant Develop and Enhance Trails (within parks and contributions were made by Bike within the county) Coalition. (2017) Completed the next phase of the LaSalle (2015) Because of ideal weather, great media Trail between Auten and Darden Roads with lead coverage, and a grant from the Hotel-Motel tax support from Bike Michiana Coalition, the Parks fund, the Sugar Camp Days in March hosted a Foundation, and the County Hotel-Motel Tourism record 3,200 visitors (Bendix Woods County Park). Development Fund. (2015) The St. Joseph County Parks Foundation (2016) Completed a 1/2-mile of the LaSalle Trail raised over $86,000 during Give Local St. Joseph was completed between Cleveland and Darden The measure of any County for the County Parks’ endowment fund Roads, including the installation of a HAWK within the Community Foundation of St. Joseph Crossing, with support from the Dept. of Public great community is the County. Works. quality of its parks. Additional progress includes: Improve and Update Park Facilities and Equipment • Installed sign posts for Studebaker Tree trails and St. Patrick’s Tree sign (2017) Constructed an elevated walkway to • Obtained a grant for repairs to the park trails Lancaster Lake with a grant from I/N Tek I/N Kote (Spicer Lake Nature Preserve) (Spicer Lake Nature Preserve) (2017) Installed a new eagle cam linked to the Summary internet at the active bald eagle nest (St. Patrick’s Major progress was made towards achieving County Park) the goals set forth in the previous plan. Two (2017) Re-roofed the Red Barn at St. Patrick’s accomplishments that had a notable impact County Park and the Van Paris Shelter at Bendix on the parks’ success was the completion Woods County Park of additional phases of the LaSalle Trail and continued development of the ND-LEEF (2016) Milled, paved, and slurry-sealed over partnership. Both of these endeavors will three miles of roads and parking areas, providing continue to be important over the next five years. a major face lift that contributed to renewed The LaSalle Trail is part of regional planning visitation interest to the park. (Bendix Woods efforts to create future trail connections. The ND- County Park) LEEF partnership should continue its successful programs and offerings while looking for new ways to expand the partnership. 18 St. Joseph County Parks Five Year Master Plan 2019-2023 TROYER GROUP 19 PARKS DEPARTMENT

Director The St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation residents of the County that promote the rich Evie Kirkwood system was established in 1966 with the cultural heritage of the area and the many natural formation of the St. Joseph County Parks features within the parks. and Recreation Board. The goal of the parks system then and now is to provide facilities and The St. Joseph County Parks Main Office is programs to residents of St. Joseph County that located at St. Patrick’s County Park. The contact information is: reflect the unique natural resources in the region. Deputy Director St. Joseph County Parks’ programs and facilities 50651 Laurel Road Steve Slauson are available to all, regardless of race, color, South Bend, IN 46637 national origin, limited English proficiency, sex, Phone: (574) 277- 4828 age, or disability. It is imperative to prioritize Website: www.sjcparks.org diversity in the master planning process and Email: [email protected] provide facilities, programs, and operations that Administrative Leisure Services Interpretive Operations Facilities welcome all users. Manager Manager Services Manager Manager Manager With 25 park staff members and decades of Kelley Herrera Jamie Hartzke Leslie Witkowski Carl Stopper Jacob Kettring of experience, the St. Joseph County Parks department continually strives to enhance facilities and recreational opportunities for the

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

The Department is comprised of three divisions: Interpretive and Leisure Service Team Role: Administrative, Park Maintenance, and Park interpretive naturalists and leisure services Interpretive and Leisure Services Team. staff provide programs year-round for park visitors, school groups, college classes, families Administrative Team Role: and organizations. With an emphasis on the wise The Administrative Team provides interrelated use of our natural resources, the programs are office functions and support services to the designed to promote awareness of the natural operations of the Parks Department and its staff. world and lifelong outdoor activity. The programs The team also provides customer service for drive attendance to the Parks and the related program and facility information and reservations. revenue supports ongoing operations. A sample listing of these programs can be found on page Maintenance Team Role: 62 of this document. The Maintenance Team is responsible for The interpretive naturalists also design maintaining over 1,400 acres, over 100,000 interpretive signage and displays, produce a square feet of facilities, and a large vehicle and printed quarterly activity guide, coordinate the equipment fleet. The Maintenance division is Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake, and committed to providing well-maintained park oversee resource management activities within facilities to enhance the visitor experience. It the County Parks. provides extensive program support and insight The leisure services team also manages the part- into each of the parks and assists in planning and time ranger and gate staff, coordinates volunteer development. projects, and supports special events organized St. Joseph County Parks Five Year Master Plan 2019-2023 20 by outside groups. TROYER GROUP 21 PARKS BOARD PARKS SUPPORT

HISTORY invasive species, and wildlife management to ST. JOSEPH COUNTY PARKS FRIENDS OF BENDIX WOODS AND support healthy ecosystems and habitats. The Parks and Recreation Board, serving as the FOUNDATION SPICER LAKE duly constituted agency, operates under the • Establishing or maintaining important natural Established in 1978, the St. Joseph County This organization provides support specifically 1965 Indiana Park and Recreation Law (36-10-3). areas and areas of historical significance is an Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit for programs of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake. The board provides policy and fiscal oversight important focus for the Board. Where at all organization (dba Friends of St. Joseph County Through volunteer projects, assistance with and direction for the department. The following possible, only 20% of the land under Board Parks) with the purpose of assisting the St. Joseph programs or special events, and with fundraising purposes and objectives serve as a general ownership will be developed, with 80% left County Parks Board in facility and program activities, members of the Friends are valuable philosophy for park operations: in a natural state. Additional land acquisition enhancement and stewardship of natural and contributors to the quality of the County parks shall focus on property contiguous to existing • Recreation is an integral part of society; cultural resources. The mission of the Foundation and have been since its founding. parks or tracts of land of 100 acres or more. therefore, it is necessary to develop and is to raise funds, build relationships, and inspire maintain a system of regional parks. The • Park facilities and programs shall be generations of park enthusiasts. PARK CONTRIBUTIONS St. Joseph County Parks contribute to the designed to promote public health and The St. Joseph County Parks Foundation has St. Joseph County Parks has a variety of funding quality of life in our region and help bridge general well-being through outdoor activity supported the parks in many ways throughout sources available to educators to offset the cost the gap between municipal parks and larger and connections to nature. The Board shall its existence. Many capital improvement of park program fees and transportation costs for scale state and national parks. The St. Joseph establish rules and regulations designed projects, program enhancements, and parks natural and cultural history interpretive programs. to protect park users, as well as promote County Parks Board shall work in cooperation events have been made possible through The Grant and Scholarship programs have appropriate use and care of facilities. with other parks and recreation agencies and Foundation donations and in-kind support. become a vital source for area educators, as public and private organizations in the area to • To meet the ever-changing interests and Accomplishments include land acquisition such they are faced with budgetary constraints and strive for a balance of recreational programs priorities of the community, the park and as the 75 acres adjacent to Spicer Lake Nature restrictions placed on offsite experiential trips. and facilities with a minimum of duplication. recreation needs of the County will be Preserve, improvement projects such as the Pfeil School Scholarship Fund assessed, interpreted, and expressed by Pavilion courtyard, LaSalle Trail, and barn-themed • Parks and recreation facilities and programs The County Parks provide funding to schools to a Master Plan to ensure directed growth, playground at St. Patrick’s County Park, and are engines of economic activity. The St. reduce educational program costs by 50%. The development, and consistency with these events such as the Running Wild 5k run/3k walk Joseph County Parks shall continue to funding is secured through private donations. contribute to regional economic growth guidelines. held each August at St. Patrick’s County Park. The Parks Foundation Board has also worked with Educational Supplies Program by generating tourism and supporting a The Parks Board typically meets the third Tuesday the St. Joseph County Community Foundation to The supply program allows program staff to livable community that attracts and retains of every month. During these meetings, the develop an endowment for the County Parks. purchase educational items to enhance natural businesses and talent. Board receives updates on department activity, and cultural history interpretive programs, such reviews the budget including claims and • Recreation within the St. Joseph County Parks Foundation Board Leadership as binoculars for birding, and science and art donations, approves policies and actions of the Parks is defined as leisure programs and John Yarger - President supplies for creative programming for children department, and assesses the position of the environmental education/interpretive and adults. opportunities. Through the development and department for strategic planning. Kyle Copelin - Vice President offering of recreation programs, the Parks Pete Owsianowski - Secretary Transportation Assistance Grants promote attitudes, interests, knowledge, PARKS BOARD MEMBERS The Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake Andrew Szczechowski - Treasurer fund a grant program to provide transportation and skills that encourage life-long learning, Mr. Larry Catanzarite - President Additional members: Erin Bonin, Joel Bowers, cost assistance to school groups to travel to the connections to the outdoors, and wise use Mrs. Donna Pfeil - Vice President and understanding of our natural and cultural David Deahl, David Fischgrund, James Goodhew, County Parks for interpretive programs. resources. Dr. Virginia Calvin - Secretary Matt Kahn, Michelle Kuehn, and Marge Riemenschneider. • Each park should be uniquely designed and Mr. John Ferrettie developed so it exhibits its own character Mr. John Gleissner distinct from other parks in the system. Mr. Thomas Panzica Programs and facilities shall be developed Mr. Rick Kennedy in harmony with the natural beauty and physiography of the land, while incorporating best practices for landscaping, control of

22 St. Joseph County Parks Five Year Master Plan 2019-2023 TROYER GROUP 23 COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS BUDGET REVIEW Communities are finding that partnerships are • Orbis Environmental Consulting St. Joseph County Parks Board receives the Budget development and review takes place in effective and essential for maintaining and • Orienteering Cincinnati majority of its funding through property tax the spring and summer and approval of the next building the park system and its programs. • Outpost Sports levies. The Parks General Fund is used to finance year’s budget occurs in fall. In 2019, the Parks Partnerships take many forms and may be long day-to-day maintenance, and administration and Recreation Board budget is $1,971,968. The • Pets Connect or short term. Partnership support may include: expenses. The fund is sourced by property tax, budget is allocated into the following categories: • Shirley Heinze Land Trust • Donations (funds, materials, equipment, new financial institutions tax, and excise tax. The • 1000 - Personnel Services (Salaries/Benefits) • South Bend Adventure Club amenities, land) County Parks also has a Non-Reverting Fund • 2000 - Supplies • South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society derived from user fees to supplement operations. • Volunteers (events, maintenance, • 3000 - Services and Charges administrative) • South Bend Brew Werks In order to supplement the budget and maintain • 4000 - Equipment and Vehicles • South Bend Fire Department necessary services and operations, the Board • Programming, advocacy, fundraising • South Bend Venues, Parks & Arts may seek other revenue/funding sources, which include: St. Joseph County Parks has a long-standing • Studebaker National Museum history of working with the community to • Running for Life • User fees including gate fees, program fees, develop partnerships and leverage available and reservations • Southside Disc Golf Club resources. Parks are integral to the quality of the • Financial and in-kind support from the Parks community, and many individuals, groups, and • St. Joseph County Health Department Foundation and Friends of Bendix Woods & organizations enjoy being involved to help make • St. Joseph County Public Library Spicer Lake the parks the best they can be. A partial list of • St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation • Community partnerships partnerships includes: District • Grants and/or donations to fund capital • ArcelorMittal • Saint Mary’s College expense projects • Apple Cider Century Ride • Strombeck Photography • Better World Books • University of Notre Dame Center for Social • Bike Michiana Coalition Concerns • Center for Hospice • University of Notre Dame Office of Community & Public Affairs 2014 -2019 BUDGET 2019 BUDGET PERCENTAGES • Clay Fire Territory • University of Notre Dame SUMMARY • Davey Resources Group 4000 Series 5.2% • Visit South Bend-Mishawaka 2,000,000 • HealthWorks! Kids Museum 3000 Series 11.5% • Wild Birds Unlimited 2000 Series 5.3% • Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake $1,971,968 • WNIT Public Television • Friends of St. Joseph County Parks 1,900,000 • I/N Tek I/N Kote Through its “Parks as Partners” program, • Indiana University South Bend the County Parks provide discounted or free programming through donations and • The History Museum sponsorships or direct write-off to community 1,800,000 $1,804,741 • Indiana Audubon Society

organizations including Center for the Homeless, $1,776,133 • Indiana Department of Natural Resources Jewish Federation, Healthwin, Logan Center, $1,765,491

• Joint Insitute for Nuclear Astrophysics at St. Margaret’s House, SOLO, Team RWB Local 1,700,000 University of Notre Dame Veterans, the YWCA, and many schools. $1,690,359 • Memorial Children’s Hospital Volunteering in the Parks $1,656,348 • Martin’s Supermarkets Many groups listed on this page and many other 1,600,000 • Michiana Astronomical Society 78% community groups and individuals provide 1000 Series • Michiana Watershed volunteer efforts every year. In 2018, the total • NIPSCO volunteer hours tracked was 3,300. At the 1,500,000 • Mountain Bike Association rate of $23.73 per hour, as determined by The • New Carlisle Lions Club Independent Sector, the value of the volunteer • Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem effort equaled $78,309. Facility 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 24 St. Joseph County Parks Five Year Master Plan 2019-2023 TROYER GROUP 25