Michigan City Parks & Recreation Board October 7, 2026

The Michigan City Parks & Recreation Board meeting on October 7, 2026, approved the 2027 Patriot Park tournament agreement with the National Softball Association/Baseball Players Association and an addendum allowing trial tournaments without additional fees. The revised agreement includes a nonrefundable $400 weekend reservation fee, with an exception if the city cancels an event. The board also approved a 2027 Patriot Park licensing agreement with a new UTrip/USSSA partner to use spring dates not performing well under the existing arrangement. Staff said roughly $20,000 in anticipated revenue was not yet earmarked; replacing the press-box and concession-building roofs was identified as an immediate priority, with larger improvements being explored with partners and through grants. The board also approved 2027 sponsorship opportunities, continued free programming, and transfers between department accounts. Baseball program changes discussed included a $5 increase in umpire pay, uniforms for traveling teams, and scholarships of up to 50%.

Other financial and facilities matters included approval of a zoo endowment invoice for Wings of Wonder construction (the transcript’s total is unclear), and reports that ASM Mechanical had repaired a walk-in freezer, with after-the-fact board approval required. Staff reported an annual $100,000 riverboat-agreement endowment for zoo capital needs and a $4 million grant-funded cultural corridor project in design. The board also approved Resolution 1092 renaming Gardina Park the Kenneth L. Scott Memorial Park on Gardina, along with claims, payroll, donations, minor transfers, and credit-card charges. No vendor-selection or competitive-bid award was clearly identified in the transcript.