Simply put, parks provide fun for the people who use them.
During 2024, Richmond Parks and Recreation Department facilities hosted 362 birthday parties, 104 baby showers, 67 graduation parties and 61 holiday parties, according to Denise Retz, the parks superintendent, during a Jan. 21 presentation to Richmond Common Council.
“That’s a lot of fun times we’ve had at these parks,” Retz said, adding that residents value the parks department’s spaces, which include seven cabins, 17 outdoor shelters and five venue locations for rent.
Of course, there was also plenty of fun outside family parties. There were dozens of community events, popular parks programming and 220 players in the industrial softball league, plus simple visits to a playground, swimming pool or splash pad.
Retz said the department received over a quarter of a million dollars in donations and grants during 2024. It also generated $202,500 in revenue.
Highland Lake Golf Course continued an upward revenue trend with $598,050, an increase of nearly $66,000 from 2023. Cordell Municipal Pool saw its revenue increase by about $9,500 to $107,240, while the Richmond Senior Recreation Center’s revenue jumped more than $4,600 to $20,515. The senior center welcomed 170 new members and added a variety of programming, Retz said.
Richmond Farmers Market hosted 59 markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays that generated more than $325,000 in sales by more than 100 local vendors. The markets featured 23 performances by local musicians and 15 special event days.
“It has never been better,” Retz said of the market.
Among maintenance and upgrades for the department, the clubhouse at the Glen Miller Golf Course was renovated with new flooring, fresh paint and a new entry door creating a “big transformation,” Retz said. Work was also done at the Glen Miller tennis courts, the Elstro Plaza splash pad, the pool, the Springwood pavilion and Highland Lake.
The department’s floral division received nearly 13,000 hours from 794 volunteers. It planted 465 trees and removed 60 dead trees in addition to its regular work with 15,000 annuals and perennials and maintaining flower pots, parks and trails.
More ways to have fun will be available after the activation of Whitewater Gorge Park. The elaborate project received more than $9.5 million in funding from a variety of sources, including $4.5 million from the Lilly Gift VIII program, $2.5 million from Revitalize Richmond and $1.6 million from the local Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program.
A version of this article appeared in the January 29 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.