Park Department
Contact Information
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Jim Pankop - Park Director
211 Iddings Street
Kendallville, Indiana 46755
Tel: 260-347-1064
Email:
park@kendallville-in.org
Office hours: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Monday - Friday
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Functions / Services of the Park and Recreation Department
Kendallville's finest assets include its parks and
recreational services. Founding fathers quickly recognized the
beauty of Bixler Lake and it's surrounding natural areas east of
town. As early as 1854, the lake was utilized as the community
swimming hole, and private land on it's shore was set aside "as
a place of public resort where all trees were to be protected
and no buildings were to be built". A fifty passenger steamboat,
The Flying Dutchman, began operation in 1866, the first of
numerous boating services providing transportation to the lake's
eastside park. Over these many years, farsighted civic leaders
purchased additional land surrounding the lake. Bixler Lake Park
now entirely encompasses the beautiful 117-acre lake, more than
500 acres on its perimeter, providing a vast array of
recreational opportunities! Unique features include a
self-guided wetland nature area with deep woods and waterfowl
observation platforms, Victorian gazebo, native grass and
wildflower field, community gardens, campground, sports complex
and many others. The Kendallville Park and Recreation
Department maintains these facilities and conducts numerous
programs to enhance the quality of life of our residents.
Offerings include programs to improve fitness, educate in the
area of our native Indiana ecology and conservation, and
promotion of the arts. Community-based special programs, events
and festivals are also conducted. We invite you to investigate
the many opportunities available through the Kendallville Park
and Recreation Department. There is something of interest here
for your enjoyment.
Our current
informational flyer can be viewed here.
Our current
event schedule can be viewed here.
A calendar of events can be viewed here.
Summer Day Camp
You are invited to register for the Kendallville Park &
Recreation Department’s summer day camp beginning Monday, June
13th through Friday, July 22nd. Children entering 1st
through 7th grade this fall are eligible to enroll in the park
day camp.
More
information and registration forms can be viewed here.
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Youth Center Reception Hall Rental
There are many reasons the Youth Center may be your best
reception hall choice. Our rates are among the lowest in the
area, and you have greater flexibility in planning your
event. You choose the food, beverages, decorations, and
set-up. There is no additional fee for these because you do
it. The Youth Center is a 4250 square-foot room that can
easily accommodate groups of 225 people. Chairs are
available for 125 people, and we have nineteen banquet
tables and sixteen card tables. A kitchen with two electric
ranges with ovens is included with a refrigerator and a
disposal. A stage area is also included to accommodate your
band or DJ. Smoking and alcohol is
not permitted in the building. Your rental period is for
the entire day. Set-up can often be arranged during the day
before your event. Check with the office for availability.
Rates are as follows:
- Less than fifty people - $75.00, plus $100.00 cash
deposit.
- More than fifty people and all wedding
receptions - Residents: $250.00, plus $200.00 cash deposit.
Non-Residents: $300.00, plus $200.00 cash deposit.
- Auctions - $300.00 each day plus $200.00 cash deposit.
Reservations: Reservations may be made at the
Park office. Half of the facility
rental fee must be paid to reserve the facility. The
remainder may be paid immediately before your event.
Your cash deposit will be returned following your event
if all keys are returned and the building is left in the
shape it was turned over, clean and with no damage. The
renter is legally responsible for all repair and cleanup
costs.
Cancellations: Cancellations prior to 90 days
of reservation date will be fully refunded.
The Youth Center is not air-conditioned, however,
fans are available for your use.
For date availability: Contact the
Park office.
You may also wish to call:
- The Noble County Fairgrounds log cabin at
260-347-0666
- Kendallville Banquet Center at 260-347-6910
- Mid America Windmill Museum at 360-347-2334
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Kendallville Outdoor Recreation Complex
Following ten years of planning, fund-raising and
construction, the Kendallville Park and Recreation Department
opened a new, 89 acre facility for outdoor sports and special
events in August 2006. Phase one of the development
features four diamonds, three soccer fields, basketball,
shuffleboard courts and parking for over 700 cars.
Athletic fields are irrigated and the diamonds are lighted to
professional standards. Concessions and restroom
facilities are fully functional. Youth and adult softball,
youth baseball and soccer is played at this location, 524 S.
Allen Chapel Road. The Complex is located adjacent to
Bixler Lake Park and Campground which can be accessed by a
walking trail. In addition to local and league play, the
facility hosts weekend tournaments and events throughout the
year. Rental information may be obtained by contacting the
Kendallville Park and Recreation Department.
British Soccer Camp:
British Soccer Camps provide players of all ages and abilities
with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching
from a team of international experts. Each day includes
individual foot skills, technical drills, tactical practices,
small-sided games, coached scrimmages, and a daily tournament.
Equally important, the Challenger coaching staff provides your
child with lessons in respect, responsibility, integrity,
sportsmanship and leadership. Camp programs include a free ball
and shirt and a free British Soccer jersey for on line
registrations 45 days prior to camp! The program will run
6/11/2012 through 6/15/2012. More information can be found by
clicking the banner below.
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Bixler Lake Park
 Bixler
Lake Park completely surrounds 117-acre Bixler Lake, providing
unique opportunities for outdoor recreation and education. The
natural beauty of the area has been combined with development of
facilities for the enjoyment of all ages and interests. Bixler
Lake Park is over 530 acres including the lake! A pedestrian
walkway and nature trail of over three miles circles the lake
through the wetland nature area, and it runs by two beaches and
landscaped woodlands. Six open-air pavilions are available for
reservation and numerous playgrounds provide fun for children.
Fishing, boating and swimming are popular activities. Varied
habitats throughout the park encourage wildlife ranging from
deer to fox. Observation platforms enable excellent wildlife
viewing of waterfowl and nature interpretation is accomplished
with signs along the trail and at the trailheads. Other
facilities include a lighted softball field, campground, tennis
courts and basketball courts.
Fees for park entry are:
- Residents - no charge with season pass
- Non-residents - $3.00 per vehicle, $25.00 season pass
Polar Bear Plunge: There’s no better way to bring in the New Year than
plunging into the icy waters of Bixler Lake! You will never
know what you’ll see at the Fourth Annual Kendallville Polar
Bear Plunge …winch towed wakeboarders will entertain the
crowd starting at 2:00pm. January 1, 2012. The first round
of brave souls will make the plunge at 4:00pm at the west
beach. There is no cost to participate. Young
children should not attend. All minors must be accompanied
by a supervising adult. Swimming is at your own risk and you
must sign a waiver. Restrooms are closed. Bring warm clothes
to change into and towels for drying off. It’s recommended
that you use an old pair of shoes for entering the water and
change into dry ones immediately after exiting. There is
only a large tent for shelter so plan ahead!
Waiver forms available in the Park office or by clicking
here. Return
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Sunset Park
 On
Kendallville's west side, Sunset Park offers thirty-two acres of
open space in a residential surrounding. Dieble Creek splits the
park. Three youth ball diamonds and a full sized soccer field
are prominent. Noble County's largest playground is also found
here! A basketball court, neighborhood
gardens and a pavilion complete the list of park facilities.
Fees for gardening space are:
Fees for pavilions and gazebo rental are:
- Individuals & non-profit organizations: $20.00
for residents, $35.00 for non-residents
- Large groups and for-profit organizations:
$100.00 for residents, $150.00 for non-residents
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Bixler Lake Campground
 Located in the heart of Kendallville's largest city park, Bixler
Lake Campground is dedicated to providing affordable,
family-orientated camping experiences. Beautiful, wooded sites
are available, and we accommodate group camping. Water and
electrical hookups are provided, and a camp store offers
firewood, ice, drinks and snacks. Showers and restrooms are
handicapped accessible. A wide variety of activities are
available to the camper including fishing and supervised
swimming on 117 acre Bixler Lake. Modern playgrounds, ball
diamond, nature trails, horseshoe, volleyball and many special
events conducted by the campground coordinators complete the
list of things to do. During the camping season,
accommodations can be made at the campground by phone at
260-347-9941. At other times, the Park and Recreation office can
relay requests at 260-347-1064. Advanced reservations are
required for holidays with non-refundable deposit. Fees for
the 2012 season are:
- Daily: $15.00, $2.50 additional for optional electrical hookup, $2.50
additional for air-conditioning, $18.00 additional for
Holidays & Apple Festival weekend.
- Monthly: $375.00 (limited spaces available), includes
hook-ups, tents not eligible for monthly stays.
- Septic dumping: No charge for campers, $20.00 all
others.
- Wood: $4.00 (15 pieces/bundle).
The camping season begins the last weekend of April and
concludes the second weekend of October. To reserve
ahead, you must pay for 1 night (not electrical hook-up).
Camp office hours are 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm from April to
Memorial weekend and 10:00 am to 8:00 pm from Memorial
weekend to end of season. Once you've
experienced the quiet, relaxed atmosphere of Bixler Lake
Campground, you'll want to return.
Return
to top Park Board
Dr. Thomas Jansen - President
Tel: 260-347-1150 David Button - Vice President
Tel: 260-347-4277 Kevin Jansen
Tel: 260-302-1303 Don Manger
Tel: 260-347-5184 Jane Rhea
Tel: 260-347-2994 Kelly Whitehead Return to top
Endowment Fund
If you would like information about making a tax-deductible
contribution to any of our Endowment Funds, information can
be found here. Return to top View the Park Board
meeting schedule on our News & Events page >>
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