Latest news with #ValparaisoParksDepartment
Chicago Tribune
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Valparaiso unveils new playground designed for children of all abilities
Melissa Schick of Chesterton is amazed at the 'thought, imagination and caring design' used to create that latest addition to the Valparaiso Parks System. On Friday morning, Schick and her 37-year-old son Mark, who is a proud athlete and participant in the annual Special Olympics competitions, joined more than 200 gathered for Valparaiso Parks Department's unveiling of the new, inclusive playground at Foundation Meadows Park, described as 'a state-of-the-art play space thoughtfully designed for children of all abilities.' 'I wish there had been something like this for Mark and others 30 years ago,' said Schick, who was joined by her daughter-in-law and children, Rain, nearly a year old, and River, 2. They all marveled at the new landscape at Foundation Meadows Park, 3210 N. Campbell St. in Valparaiso. 'This incredible 5,230-square-foot playground, built through the rePLAY initiative, is a testament to Valpo Parks' commitment to providing meaningful spaces where all children can play, explore, and connect,' Valpo Parks Director Kevin Nuppnau said. 'The design incorporates innovative features to ensure accessibility and engagement for every child.' Among the highlights are the 12-foot-high Aventus Tower, an accessible tower with platforms allowing anyone of any ability to climb and explore and billed as 'the first of its kind.' A range of 10 slides safely serves all ages and thrill levels. There are 15 ground-level activities and eight sensory play experiences for discovery. Seven elevated components, all accessible by ramp, oversee the entire terrain and a large sled-like bench swing is designed for both children and their caregivers and large enough to welcome wheelchairs. According to Nuppnau, the park construction began in January, and the total cost was around $500,000, with a large portion of that cost dedicated to the price of the smooth, poured-in-place surfacing throughout the park space that is ideal for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. 'Valpo Parks extends its sincere gratitude for the collective hard work of parks staff and our partners at GameTime which made the equipment and Sinclair Recreation which developed the design and offered such key contributions to make this dream a reality,' Nuppnau said. Jessica Sharp, clinical director for Kidworks, LLC. Pediatric Therapy Center in Chesterton, said the new park will 'allow all kids to be kids, despite compromised abilities. 'Thank you Valparaiso Parks for this new space,' Sharp said. 'The equipment and features in this new park address sensory needs, coordination, communication with kids, motor skills, physical exercise and most of all, a place for young spirits to build up their confidence. Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas performed the ribbon-cutting honors with the help of his own grandchildren Bill and Ellen. 'Foundation Meadows Park was developed in the early 2000s, and it's the park of my own past,' Costas said. 'Today, this is the park of the future.' Tristan Leonhard, assistant director of Valparaiso Parks Department, said the new park unveiling is part of the rePLAY initiative to prioritize enhancing patron accessibility, address infrastructure needs, implement safety measures and invest in sustainability practices. He said the rePLAY initiative is funded by using bond proceeds originally earmarked for what was last year's proposed sports park that are now being put to immediate use for long-term benefits. 'Park renovations and construction are expected to be completed by the end of the year,' Leonhard said. To learn more about the rePLAY initiative and stay updated on project timelines and community engagement opportunities, visit
Chicago Tribune
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Active Kids Day in Valparaiso offers musical instruments and fun for kids, resources for parents
Downtown Valparaiso's Central Park Plaza was full of families with young children enjoying Active Kids Day Sunday, sponsored by the Valparaiso Parks Department. Vendors lined the plaza with hands-on activities, musical instruments, and information for parents on different programs. The event was planned to encourage kids to get involved and be active. All day long there were demonstrations of kid-centric activities and on-site registrations for camps, clinics, sports, and lessons. 'We really lucked out with the weather,' said Tyler Ingram, the new special events coordinator for Valparaiso Parks. 'It's a beautiful day and we have great attendance.' 'Our free events are not possible without our sponsors, and we have great vendors that are staples at a lot of our events,' said Ingram. 'We are hoping that those here today take a look at all the parks has to offer with our different programs, day camps, and pathways and trails. Danielle Reed, of Chesterton, attended the event with her daughter Savannah and a friend. 'So far, the kids are liking the bouncy house and all the hands-on activities and the gymnastics,' said Reed. 'They got to touch different types of fur at the Gabis Arboretum booth and they really liked that.' 'I'm here taking in everything,' said Reed. 'There are amazing businesses here that I never even knew existed.' 'I think this is great because it gives everyone a chance to see what some of the vendors have to offer,' said Tiffany Hoefler, of Valparaiso, who attended Active Kids Day with her two children. 'There are a lot of camps and different activities that I may be able to get my kids involved in.' Adrienne Weaver, of Westville, is an instructor at Innovative Music & Arts Studio in Valparaiso. She and the studio's owner, Kim Dale, were giving demonstrations with a DJ for kids to get involved and try rhythm instruments. 'We have drums and other instruments that kids can try today, and we want them to get their interest started at a young age,' said Weaver, who teaches strings and piano. Dana Gibson is the practice manager for Associated Pediatricians, who has been a vendor at this event for several years. Their practice had over 20 people working shifts throughout the day at their booth. 'At the practice, we pride ourselves on encouraging kids to be active and healthy,' said Gibson. 'This community event supports exactly what we want our patients to do.' Only 20-28% of children ages 6-17 meet the daily physical activity recommendation of 60 minutes and that number has decreased since 2016, and that physical activity declines with age, according to the Physical Activity Alliance, which is the nation's largest coalition dedicated to advancing regular participation in physical activity. Valpo Parks offers summer programs for kids at Discovery Cottage and Discovery Day Camp at Rogers Lakewood, including youth programs and special events throughout the summer. For more information, visit
Chicago Tribune
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Valparaiso Parks ready for more pickleball with $10 million upgrades, joining growing fascination with court sport
When Kevin Nuppnau, director of the Valparaiso Parks Department, began planning the use of funds for an ambitious $25 million 'enhancement' for the existing park landscapes in the city, he discovered a surge of interest for the paddle, net and court sport pickleball. 'Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport,' Nuppnau said. 'And the addition of new courts, funded by the rePLAY initiative, reflects our commitment to providing diverse and accessible recreational amenities for our community. We are thrilled to move forward with this project and bring these much-anticipated pickleball courts to ValPlayso Park.' The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 15 at ValPlayso Park at the intersection of Glendale Boulevard and Roosevelt Road. In recent years, the Valparaiso Parks Department has converted low-traffic former basketball and tennis hard-surface outdoor courts into pickleball courts at Bicentennial Park, 175 Burlington Beach Road; Tower Park at 1000 Franklin St.; and Kirchhoff Park at 400 Roosevelt Road. The Valparaiso YMCA at 1201 Cumberland has three indoor pickleball courts. Nuppnau described the excitement about the launch of this week's project as 'a highly anticipated upgrade for ValPlayso Park' for the arrival of six new outdoor pickleball courts. 'Pickleball's incredible popularity as the fastest-growing sport, coupled with the strong public input we received, underscores the importance of this project,' Nuppnau said. 'We are grateful to be bringing a first-class pickleball experience to residents and visitors.' One of the first indoor pickleball courts in Northwest Indiana came in September 2021 with the launch of Pickle Time pickleball courts at 10960 Delaware Parkway in Crown Point. 'Pickleball has been around since 1965,' said Jennifer Hall, who co-owns Pickle Time with her husband, Larry. 'Larry first learned about pickleball while working in Florida in 2020 during the NBA bubble time for about four months during the pandemic. He learned to play it and brought the idea home to me.' The sport can be played with single players or double teams and uses a low net and lined boundary courts with paddles swatting an aerated, light, plastic, bright yellow, green or orange ball, like a Wiffle ball. The game score goes up 11 points, with the winner needing to win by two points, making it similar to tennis scoring. 'Once people start, they just want to keep playing it,' Hall said. 'It's great exercise, low impact, and it's as competitive as you want it to be.' In November 2024, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott held a ribbon cutting for 12 new indoor pickleball courts at the Jean Shepherd Community Center at 3031 Mahoney Drive in Hammond. The new Hammond YMCA, 6532 Indianapolis Boulevard, which also opened in November 2023, has three indoor courts. Next month, St. John will begin construction on outdoor pickleball courts added to Gates of St. John Park at 10201 Park Place. Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas believes the new pickleball courts will also draw visitors from neighboring communities to utilize the new play space. 'Over the past decade, it's been rewarding to add offerings like the Flounder and Friends Skatepark, Creekside Trails, ValPAWraiso Dog Park and more,' Costas said. 'But we've never lost sight of the timeless parks we grew up loving. The rePLAY initiative ensures our existing parks remain cherished gathering places for generations to come.' Parks included in the rePLAY initiative are Kirchhoff Park, Fairgrounds Park, Tower Park, ValPlayso, Foundation Meadows Park, Rogers Lakewood Park, Ogden Botanical Gardens, Glenrose South Park, Will Park and Banta Park. 'The rePLAY initiative is a direct result of ongoing public input and our comprehensive Parks Master Plan,' Nuppnau said. 'This initiative will not only improve our existing parks but also ensure they continue to serve as vital community gathering places.' Nuppnau said the rePLAY initiative is funded using the bond proceeds that were originally earmarked for the proposed sports park, shelved last year because of the excessive cost, to put the bond funding to immediate use for long-term benefits. To learn more about the rePLAY initiative and stay updated on project timelines and community engagement opportunities, visit
Chicago Tribune
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Valparaiso Parks announces new ‘inclusive' playground for Foundation Meadows Park this summer
A new and reimagined park landscape will be unveiled this summer at Foundation Meadows Park promising a state-of-the-art all-inclusive terrain of equipment highlights designed for children of all abilities, according to Valparaiso Parks Department Director Kevin Nuppnau. 'We are incredibly excited to bring this new inclusive playground to Foundation Meadows Park in early summer,' Nuppnau said. 'This playground is a testament to our commitment to creating inclusive play spaces where all children can thrive. We believe that play is essential for a child's development, and this new playground will provide countless opportunities for children of all abilities to learn, grow and have fun together.' Foundation Meadows Park is located at 3210 N. Campbell St., and the new park is estimated to cost around $500,000, with a ribbon-cutting and unveiling expected at the end of August 2025. Nuppnau said there's currently a selection of parks in Valparaiso with select activities equipment and features for children with accessibility issues but not one comprehensive specifically designed destination until this new initiative. 'Our Valpo Parks is thrilled to announce this new, inclusive playground is coming to Foundation Meadows Park as part of the rePLAY project,' Nuppnau said. 'This new state-of-the-art play space offers children of all abilities a chance to play, explore and connect with others. When ValPLAYso was completed in October 2014, it offered fully accessible features and considerations which had been part of the plan since the early design. And as with all of our parks, we are always improving and making any needed changes to assure we are ADA-compliant.' One of the new park's focal points will be the Aventus Tower, which Nuppnau describes as 'the industry's first accessible playground tower up to 12 feet.' He said the Valparaiso Parks Department development and planning team have been working with Sinclair Recreation based in Holland, Michigan, in cooperation with GameTime park equipment, which has been in business since 1929, to craft and build the 5,230-square-foot play space to feature several components designed to stimulate creativity, encourage physical activity and promote social interaction. Berglund Construction of Norwood Park, Illinois, is the hired contractor. The new park will include: • Poured-in-place surfacing: Providing a smooth, resilient, and accessible surface for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. • Fifteen ground-level components: Offering a variety of engaging activities accessible to all children. • Eight different types of ground-level play: Ensuring diverse play experiences and sensory stimulation. • Seven elevated play components accessible by a ramp: Allowing children using mobility devices to access elevated play features and experience the joy of climbing and exploring. • Two bench swings: Providing a relaxing and inclusive swinging experience for children and caregivers. The Aventus Tower is a new approach to modular tower design serving as a playground centerpiece to welcome climbers and showcase slides and sensory activities. A transfer platform makes it easier for children to transfer from a mobility device while 'SureGrip' climbing components provide extra support with a controlled environment. Valparaiso currently has more than 1,000 acres of parkland, 28 athletic fields, 24 miles of pathways, 15 miles of trails, 14 playgrounds, two golf courses and a dog park. Nuppnau began his role as park director in April 2023 overseeing the department of 40 full-time employees in addition to 250 seasonal workers and more than 900 volunteers.
