May 4th, 2015 - South Bend Parks & Recreation

Office: 574.299.4765 web site: http://sbpark.org/
What’s Up In South Bend Parks
A Summary of Activities of the South Bend Parks & Recreation Department
Local Organization Funds Park Improvements
South Bend Parks & Recreation Dept. is the recipient of awesome park improvements thanks to the
generosity and forward thinking of a local organization. Bike the Bend, a local not-for-profit started by
Louise Addicott & dedicated to bicycling, has donated funds for improvements at Seitz Park/East Race
Waterway. The funding is being used to replace decking on the footbridge at the head gates of the East
Race. The current bridge is the original construction, and in need of repair. A BIG Thank You! To Bike
the Bend for your support of South Bend Parks & Recreation Department!
Olympic Swimmer coming to South Bend!
The Fitter and Faster Swim Tour is coming back to South Bend THIS SUNDAY, May 3rd for an Essentials
of Backstroke and Freestyle clinic led by 2012 Olympian Connor Jaeger and World Champion Megan
Romano! This event is sponsored by our partners in the South Bend Swim Club. The South Bend Swim
Club, sponsored by the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department, invites you to become a
member of the team. For more information contact: John VanDriessche, Head Coach, South Bend
Swim Club South Bend at Riley High School, 574.276.6057, www.southbendswimclub.com
Annual Senior Picnic
The Annual Senior Picnic will take place on Wednesday, May 27 at Potawatomi Park again this year.
Activities begin at 11:00am.
Lunch will be served at 11:30; this year’s menu:
Barbecue Chicken Leg Quarters, cornbread, baked beans and potato salad with brownies for dessert. The
cost for the event is $4.25 for seniors 60 years and older. You must register in advance by May 15 by calling
Monica at Howard Park 235.9428. Call today to reserve your seat.
Rum Village Spring Programs
The Rum Village Nature Center offers a series of programs to help beat cabin fever. The programs are
Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Admission is FREE!
Current schedule:
May 3rd: Wonderful Wildflowers Part 2 – Hike, If you couldn’t make the first hike, don’t worry!
You still have time to see these beautiful flowers. Come along for this short hike while these
woodland wildflowers are still around.
May 10th: Flowers for Mom - Inside, Happy Mother’s Day! Join us for some craft time fun as we make
pinecone flowers. We’ll enjoy watching the bird feeders while our flowers dry!
For more info, call the Nature Center at 574.235.9455
SB150 Birthday Celebration Weekend: May 22-24
South Bend’s sesquicentennial will be celebrated for the entire year of 2015,
but the highlight of SB150 will take place during the Birthday Weekend, May
22-24. May 22 is the 150th anniversary of South Bend’s incorporation, and is
Memorial Day Weekend.
Mark your calendar now, because it's a weekend not to miss.
Friday, May 22: Opening Ceremonies & River Lights Dedication (7pm - 10pm)
Saturday, May 23: Birthday Weekend Celebration (10am - 11pm)
Sunday, May 24: Birthday Weekend Celebration (11am - 6pm)
The east and west banks of the St. Joseph River downtown will be divided into 10 different activity
zones — with something to entertain everyone.
The weekend will spotlight the best of what South Bend has to offer, celebrating our City’s past,
present, and future.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Four Winds Field, Downtown South Bend
Join us for the biggest party of the summer. For 2015 we have dual headliners:
Joe Nichols and Easton Corbin!
Early Bird Ticket Price Extended Until May 15!
Thanks for the great response, so now we're extending the price to everyone who still needs tickets.
Join us for South Bend Country Fest June 27, and help support special needs programs in the South
Bend Parks & Recreation Department. Easton Corbin, Joe Nichols, Trick Pony, Natalie Stovall & the
Drive; WHAT A SHOW!
Tickets are only $25 for the early birds through April 26, MAY 15 !!!!!!!!! - then prices are $35 through
show day. An added bonus: when you purchase a ticket to the festival, you will also receive a ticket to
see the South Bend Cubs at Four Winds Field in 2015! Tickets can be purchased at the Four Winds
Field box office, O’Brien Recreation Center, or on TicketWeb. We’ll see you there!
“At the end of the day, it’s for y’all” – Joe Nichols
Easton Corbin’s "Baby Be My Love Song" is #13 and Joe Nichols’ "Hard to be Cool" is #24 this week on
American Country Countdown! Now you know you gotta see 'em at Four Winds Field June 27 with
Trick Pony and Natalie Stovall And The Drive
http://www.americancountrycountdown.com/common/page.php…
Check out the South Bend Country Fest promo video: click here
Jr. Baseball
Online registration: going on now through June 19; click here to register.
T-Ball for 3-4 year olds; Coach Pitch/Tee for 5-6 year olds Fee: $55 per child
This program provides an opportunity for parents, children and staff to interact and learn the basic
skills of the game in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. We offer morning games at Boehm Park and
evenings at Belleville. Games last for 45 minutes or 3 innings, whichever comes 1st, and are played at
different times according to your schedule on Tuesday's and Thursday's Beginning June 23rd and
ending on July 30th.
Summer Soccer
Online registration: going on now through June 19; click here to register.
Fee: $55 per child
Age 3-4, age 5-6
This six week program provides an opportunity for parents, children and staff to interact and learn the
basic skills of the game in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. Games last for 45 minutes and are
played at different times according to your schedule. Parents are encouraged to be involved on the
field, help teach the basics and enjoy the program with their child. Junior soccer consists of two
different levels and play based on age.
Nature Detectives Day Camp
The Nature Detectives Day Camp gives students ages 6-12 a chance to explore the natural world at a
beautiful local park. Over three miles of hiking trails, an interactive nature center with a wildlife
window, and a staff of experienced naturalists make this camp a great choice for a summer adventure.
The Nature Detective camps run from 9 am to 12 pm for campers 6 to 12 years old. Drinks and snack
will be provided. Online registration will be available here beginning February 1st.
Park Dept. Staff Member Has Article Published
A member of your South Bend Parks & Recreation Department was published in a national industry
publication this month. Paul McMinn, Assistant Recreation Director, Aquatics Director, was published
in Parks & Recreation Magazine Aquatics Guide with an article titled “Dangerous Behaviors and Layers
of Protection”. This is not the first time Paul has been published. He has had a number of previous
articles published in a variety of industry publications during his over 35 years of service to Parks &
Rec. Congratulations Paul!
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
Mother’s Day Equestrian Ride: Sat., May 16, Potato Creek State Park
SB 150 Birthday Weekend: May 22-24
East Race Waterway: opens June 7
Kennedy Water Playground: opens June 8
Potawatomi Pool: opens June 11
Children’s Learn to Swim: begins June 15
Cross Country Camp: June 22-25
Kids’ Triathlon: Sat., July 11, Potawatomi Park
Superintendent’s Golf Outing: Fri., Aug. 7, Elbel Park Golf Course
Men’s Fastball I.S.C. World Tournament: Aug. 8-16, Belleville Softball Complex