Four people cleared 90 pounds of trash an hour during an April 4 cleanup effort at Bicentennial Park.
Brandon Panensky, a Richmond parks employee who led the effort, honored the three volunteer helpers during the April 9 parks board meeting. Howard Price, Gary DeLucio and Anthony Alana worked four hours to collect 360 pounds of trash, even wading into the Whitewater River.
Denise Retz, the parks superintendent, said the men, who all attended the meeting, want to make city parks special and the parks department needs help from more people who think that way.
“You set a wonderful example for the community,” said Bill Engle, Richmond Common Council’s liaison to the parks board. “I hope we can turn this into a movement.”
The parks department hosts monthly cleanup efforts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Saturday of the month from March through November. The next cleanup will be May 2 at Middlefork Cove on the northeast side of Middlefork Reservoir off Indiana 227.
Panensky said any volunteer assistance is appreciated.
“Every little bit helps a lot,” he said.
Contact Panensky at bpanensky@richmondindiana.gov for more information about the cleanups.
Fountain fundraising
The parks department is trying to receive $50,000 in state funding to help restore the E.G. Hill fountain in the Richmond Rose Garden. To do so, the department must raise a $50,000 match from donors.
Retz has begun a Patronicity crowdfunding campaign at wwn.to/hillfountainfix.
The project will cost $164,000.
Retz highlighted other projects underway, including steps leading to the horseshoe courts at Clear Creek Park and the split-rail fence at Middlefork Reservoir.
The department has also begun working on projects using bond anticipation note money after Richmond Common Council approved borrowing the money ahead of possible bond issuance. The city will make BAN and bond payments with food and beverage tax revenue. Retz said signage will identify projects funded through the food and beverage tax.
Five umbrellas for Cordell Pool have been purchased and received at a cost of $27,297.
Rentals
While reviewing the parks department’s financials, Emma Stanton told board members that facility rentals have started strongly this year.
There are already 831 reservations, with 206 of those occurring from Jan. 1 through April 13. Stanton said the parks department offers nice facilities that are budget friendly and they are popular for holidays and events such as graduation parties.
Golf course contract
Board members approved a $14,000 contract with Wilson Outdoor Solutions for deep-tine aeration of greens at the city golf courses.
A version of this article appeared in the April 15 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.