Caterpillar picnic shelter almost ready to rent

VALPARAISO | The Parks Department will begin accepting reservations June 10 for one of the two new picnic shelters at Butterfly Meadows.

Veterans to speak at Valpo Memorial Day service

VALPARAISO | World War II veterans Bill Wellman and John Wolf will be the guest speakers at Friday's annual Memorial Day service at the Foundation Meadows service memorial.

Valpo parks honor legendary supporters

VALPARAISO | Three people with long-time and generous connections to the city's parks were honored Thursday during a reception at the Butterfield Pavilion at Fairgrounds Park.

Park Board votes to remove tennis courts

VALPARAISO | The city's Park Board voted Tuesday to remove the tennis courts at Bicentennial Park and plant it as grass.

Central Park Plaza to host Shakespeare, Lazer Ball among varied 2013 events

VALPARAISO | From church services and Shakespeare to Lazer Ball, the upcoming season at Central Park Plaza promises to be busy and varied.

Valpo Park Board OKs contract for drainage work

VALPARAISO | The next phase of drainage work at Bicentennial Park should begin in two weeks following approval of a contract for the work by the city's Park Board on Thursday.

MITCH BARLOGA: Valparaiso has worked hard on its pathways

A few months ago I lathered a heap of praise upon Hammond and its robust trail network. However, long before Hammond officials “caught religion” on this matter, Valparaiso was leading the way in developing a series of intercity trails and wide sidewalks. These efforts were duly recognized la…

Valpo's Central Park, its activities, keep expanding

VALPARAISO | Central Park Plaza was a busy place in 2012 with 107 events, but, as Valparaiso prepares to unveil plans for the park's expansion, it's already set for an even busier 2013.

Valpo to begin 2nd phase of Bicentennial Park work

VALPARAISO | The second phase of the transformation of Bicentennial Park begins this week with the parks department seeking quotes for installing drainage improvements at the park.

Butterfield pavilion: From horse barn to Galacti-Con

VALPARAISO | The Butterfield Family Pavilion at Fairgrounds Park has seen a lot since its Depression-era construction in the 1930s, from its days as an animal barn for the Porter County Fair to the upcoming Galacti-Con gaming convention in October.

Valpo parks has more needs than cash

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso Parks Department has a priority list of projects it wants to do in 2013 but only enough money to do about a third of them.

Development of Dunes-Kankakee Trail clips along

Another small piece of the planned Dunes-Kankakee Trail can be built this summer now that Porter County has agreed to maintain it after it's built.

The ice is finally nice at Valparaiso's Tower Park

VALPARAISO | The city's skating rink at Tower Park opened for the first time in two years on Wednesday, but it probably won't be around for long.

Valpo Parks accepts Vale Park pathway

VALPARAISO | It took a few months, but the pathway along the Vale Park Way between Campbell and Valparaiso streets now belongs to the city's Parks Department.

Central Park expansion plans expected in two months

VALPARAISO | With plans for the expansion of Central Park Plaza about two months from completion, parks officials are ready to start transforming Bicentennial Park.

Valpo extends amphitheater naming rights

VALPARAISO | The city's Park Board voted to renew the agreement with Porter hospital for naming rights to the Central Park Plaza amphitheater Tuesday.

Summer here but spring green's fees stay in Valpo

VALPARAISO | It's been a good year for Valparaiso's golf courses, and the park board agreed to send a big "thank you" to golfers by voting to keep the spring rates through the summer.

Valpo Central Park having to deal with success

VALPARAISO | The city's Parks Department is a victim of the success of the downtown Central Park Plaza.

Valpo ready to rent downtown bike lockers

VALPARAISO | The bike lockers are officially open for business.

Sign proposed to help promote downtown Valparaiso events

VALPARAISO | The city's Parks Department is seeking variances to erect a nearly 11-foot-high sign at the entrance to Central Park Plaza to notify the public of events at the park and the downtown.