Party in the Park

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BY JEAN STARR
Times Correspondent | Friday, May 14, 2004 | (No comments posted.)

Visualize a park, and picnics come to mind. Add a shelter and a grill and it becomes the perfect spot for a family reunion. Community parks throughout the region have added activities with every age and activity level in mind. Several offer evening summer concerts and movies, and a couple present outdoor plays.

According to Pam Baldin, recreation director for the Highland Parks Department, more than a dozen vendors show up for its weekly farmers market. It is set up near the bicycle trail, at Highway and Kennedy Avenues. "People can drive right up to it and park in the lot," she said. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from June 19 to Oct. 16.

The gazebo in Main Square Park becomes the setting for four concerts and a play this summer.

"The spot is transformed into a huge stage where the cast and directors rebuild everything" Baldin said. "This year they're doing �Bye Bye Birdie.'"

One of the gems of the Valparaiso Parks Department is the 10-acre Ogden Gardens on the corner of Harrison Boulevard and Campbell Street. Surrounded by a pond garden, bridge, and beds of annuals, perennials, roses, shrubs and trees is the Florence A. Dayton Gazebo, which can be reserved for weddings and other special occasions.

The community has made good use of what was once the site of the Porter County Fair. The area on the corner of Evans and Calumet Avenues is now popular for walkers and strollers, and hosts weekly summer concerts.

Rogers-Lakewood Park is the place for paddle boats, hayrides, beach picnics and disc golf. The game has become so popular, said recreation superintendent Carol Costakis, that they have added two programs called "Get Hooked on Disc Golf," which teaches the basics to ages 8 to adult. The park also hosts a summer disc golf league for ages 16 and older. Also on the park property is Flounder Skate Park, a 15,000 square foot course with ramps, grind rails, jump box and pyramid.

Schererville Parks Department has jumped on the movie bandwagon with five viewings scheduled at Reder Park. One Friday a month at dusk from June through October, viewers can bring lawn chairs and blankets, snacks and pillows for the 21st century take on the drive-in movies.

"We started movies in the park last fall and had a really good turnout," said Cindy Horgash, parks recreational coordinator. "Our first is kids night, and the next is couples night. Then comedy night, adventure night, and of course, for October, we'll have horror night."

Hammond Parks Department maintains a Fitness Center on the lower level of the Civic Center at 5852 Sohl Ave. One-day passes enable anyone to use the facilities, which include racquetball/handball courts, indoor pool, sauna and running/walking tracks. The city will have some headliners in town for The Festival of Lakes July 28 to Aug. 1 at Wolf Lake Park, 121st Street and Calumet Ave. Entertainment will include War, Diamond Rio, Blues Travelers, and the Spinners.

The Sounds at Sunset concert series is part of Munster Parks and Recreation's offerings. The Sunday night events at Heritage Park are free. Also at Heritage Park Gazebo, the park will host free Yoga in the Park beginning June 6. The town has plenty to keep every age busy this summer. Classes held around town include basic crochet, line dancing, dog obedience, and acoustic rock guitar. Munster Community pool opens June 5. Daily as well as seasonal passes are available.

The Outback Trail at Imagination Glen Park in Portage has its dark side, according to Mike Barney, assistant superintendent of the Portage Parks and Recreation Department. "It's a mountain bike trail consisting of 10 miles of varying degrees of difficulty," he said. "There are bridges, logs, and if you're a novice biker these will be obstacles. Some will be daunting." The trail has become an attraction to mountain bikers from all over the region.

If you're not a biker, the trail makes a great hiking location for wildlife watchers. "When you get out in the trail, you feel like you left Portage or Northwest Indiana," said Barney. "It is so beautiful." The Outback Trail can be reached from the Iron Horse Trail, an unpaved 5-mile stretch running from Ind. 149 to U.S. 20.

Portage's Woodland Park has installed a boulder playground, consisting of sculptures that children can climb on and through. Woodland also is the spot for skateboarders, with a 13,000 square-foot course.

For more information

* Portage Park Department, 2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage, (219) 762-1675

* Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation, 3210 North Campbell St., Valparaiso, (219) 462-5144, or www.valparaisoparks.org

* Hammond Park Department, 5825 Sohl Ave., Hammond, (219) 853-6378 or www.hmdin.com/parks

* Schererville Park Department, 10 East Joliet St., Schererville, (219) 865-5530, or www.ci.schererville.in.us/parksandrec/trips.html

* Highland Parks and Recreation Department, 2450 Lincoln St., Highland, (219) 838-0114

* Munster Parks and Recreation, 1005 Ridge Road, Munster, (219) 836-7275, or www.munster.org

For more information
* Portage Park Department, 2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage, (219) 762-1675
* Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation, 3210 North Campbell St., Valparaiso, (219) 462-5144, or www.valparaisoparks.org
* Hammond Park Department, 5825 Sohl Ave., Hammond, (219) 853-6378 or www.hmdin.com/parks
* Schererville Park Department, 10 East Joliet St., Schererville, (219) 865-5530, or www.ci.schererville.in.us/parksandrec/trips.html
* Highland Parks and Recreation Department, 2450 Lincoln St., Highland, (219) 838-0114
* Munster Parks and Recreation, 1005 Ridge Road, Munster, (219) 836-7275, or www.munster.org

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