Welcome to the GPRD Activity Guide!

Mayor’s Welcome

Dear Patron of Goshen Parks, I have been enjoying Goshen’s parks since I was growing up on Indiana Avenue not far from Shanklin Park. I especially have enjoyed watching our children make use of Goshen’s fantastic parks.

Tanya Heyde, Parks & Recreation superintendent, and the GPRD staff, along with the Environmental Resilience Department, are working diligently to not only maintain our natural resources and venues of recreation but also to keep improving them.

With about 25 miles of trails and 500-plus acres of park grounds spread throughout Goshen, you are sure to find a quiet respite in nature within just a few minutes in any sector of the city.

Over the years, the Park Department staff and I have worked with different segments of Goshen to find new ways to serve our diverse community. After all, our parks should reflect the varied tastes for hobbies and activities within our city. Examples of such collaboration include Goshen’s first disc golf course in Mullet Park on Goshen’s near west side, our first dog park in the East Lincoln Neighborhood, and Kerry’s Kids fully inclusive playground at Hay Park on the city’s southwest side.

In cooperation with Parks & Recreation, the Environmental Resilience Department has recently added the Ashley VanVurst Sensory Trail, which connects individuals with disabilities to the sights and sounds of nature. Through the development of an innovative smartphone app, our trails are now accessible to everyone. Online technology creates an interactive experience that includes live nature cameras and detailed information about the plants and animals that can be found along the trail. This is all part of the ongoing goal of enhancing our community’s quality of life. Please come out and experience your parks and the programs of the Goshen Parks & Recreation Department throughout 2023. In a persistent pandemic, parks are even more vital as a way of safely being in the great out of doors and experiencing the energizing wonders of nature. You will quickly realize why my family loves the parks and all they represent, plus you’ll learn another of the many reasons I’m proud to call Goshen home.

With deep respect,

Jeremy Stutsman Mayor of Goshen

Mission Statement

From the Superintendent’s Desk

Dear Goshen Resident, Welcome to the 2023 Goshen Parks & Recreation Department Activity Guide. Our program descriptions appear in both English and Spanish. This guide covers the entire 2023 calendar year. We on the park staff are happy to offer an invigorating lineup of fun and enriching experiences, often in the natural setting of a city park, for all ages and seasons.

As you may know, the Goshen Park Department provides live, online reservations of park facilities and registrations for park programs. Please visit our website (www.goshenindiana.org/parks-rec). You also may call 574534-2901 for registrations or reservations and to get more information. The Park Department Office moved four years ago to 524 East Jackson Street—at the intersection with South Ninth Street.

New summertime water programs for 2023 include a Pop Up Water Park from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday, June 17 at Pringle Park, as well as Splash-Tastic Weekend at Abshire Hill from Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16.

Public park space is being added at the former Riverdale school near the Old Bag Factory, plus in three cases public input is being sought: (1) five-year GPRD master plan, (2) Shanklin Pool master plan and (3) survey about interest in organized table tennis in Goshen. (A group of table tennis players has started meeting from 5 to 8 pm Thursdays at Schrock Pavilion in Shanklin Park.)

This year we’re again pleased to offer Walk with a Doc, an enjoyable way to get walking exercise the first Monday evening of each month in the company of a local physician, as well as Nights of Lights at Shanklin Park throughout December 2023.

We take great pride in offering quality programs and maintaining the best parks, facilities and programs possible. It is our privilege to continue serving the residents of this wonderful community, and we hope visitors to the Maple City see how these resources can enrich their lives too. On behalf of the entire staff, I hope you enjoy this “guided tour” of Goshen’s parks and the many opportunities for recreation and revitalization, regardless of the season.

Enthusiastically, Tanya Heyde Superintendent, Goshen Parks & Recreation

The Goshen Parks & Recreation Department shall provide high-quality and effective recreation programs and special events, facilities and parks that benefit area residents and contribute to Goshen’s economy, environment, wellness and sense of community.

Goshen Parks & Recreation Department

524 East Jackson Street | Goshen, IN 46526

Office Hours

Monday–Friday, 7 am–4 pm

Wayne Wogoman Welcome Center

1424 Lincolnway East

Goshen, IN 46528

Welcome Center Visitor Hours

Wednesday–Friday, 10 am–4 pm

Telephone Directory

Office Phone: 574-534-2901

Office Fax: 574-349-6672

Program Hotline (after 4 pm): 574-534-3200

Shanklin Pool: 574-533-7616

Rieth Interpretive Center: 574-537-0986

Wogoman Welcome Center: 574-975-6253

GPRD Website: www.goshenindiana.org/parks-rec

In observance of holidays, the GPRD Administration Office is closed on the following dates in 2023:

New Year’s Day: Monday, January 2

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, January 16

Memorial Day: Monday, May 29

Juneteenth National Interdependence Day:

Monday, June 19

Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4

Labor Day: Monday, September 4

Veterans Day: Friday, November 10

Thanksgiving:

Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24

Christmas Eve and Day: Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26

Mayor and City Council

Mayor Jeremy Stutsman

City Council At Large Julia King

At Large Brett Weddell

District 1 Donald Riegsecker

District 2 Doug Nisley

District 3 Matt Schrock

District 4 Megan Eichorn

District 5 Gilberto Pérez Jr.

Park Board

President Roger Nafziger

Vice President Jennifer Shell

Secretary Jeanette Samuel

Member Jim Wellington

Member Bill Veenstra

Park Staff

Superintendent Tanya Heyde (tanyaheyde@goshencity.com)

Recreation Supervisor Kimberlee Stephens (kimberleestephens@goshencity.com)

Recreation Coordinator Zachariah Burnham zachburnham@goshencity.com

Facility Coordinator Frank Shula (frankshula@goshencity.com)

Administrative Staff Lori Swiger (loriswiger@goshencity.com) Staycie Howland (stayciehowland@goshencity.com) Laura Garcia (lauragarcia@goshencity.com)

Maintenance Director Kevin Yoder (kevinyoder@goshencity.com)

Wogoman Welcome Center Office Staff Gloria Sapien (gloriasapien@goshencity.com)

Goshen City Tree Board

Emma Conrad, Erin Floyd, Melanie Helmuth, Greg Imbur, Nate Klink, Ryan Smith, Doug Yoder, Samara Cleves (youth representative)

Visit Online for Registrations, Reservations and Ticket Sales https://secure.rec1.com/IN/goshen-parksand-recreation-in/catalog

Comfort Stations

Most park restroom facilities are open to the public from April 15 to October 15, from dawn to dusk. The restrooms at Abshire Cabin and at the warming house in Shanklin Park, however, remain open year-round.

Splash Parks

Walnut Park Splash Pad on Goshen’s north side on East Oakridge Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets, Pringle Park Splash Pad on Goshen’s west side on West Lincoln Avenue just east of Greene Road, and Rieth Park Splash Pad on Goshen’s south side on 13th Street between Iowa and Illinois streets will function daily May 27–August 27 from 12 noon to 8 pm (weather permitting).

Dedication Program

Donations and dedications of trees, plants, flowers, and park benches and picnic tables are all welcomed for the Goshen parks. Please contact the Goshen Park Department, for more information and current prices, at 574-534-2901.

Adopt-A-Park

Individuals, families, clubs and businesses are encouraged to Adopt-A-Park and help with maintenance, litter pickup and plant preservation. For more information, contact the Goshen Park Department at 574-534-2901.

Vandalism

Vandalism in our parks can be a concern, as well as have a negative impact on our budget. It isn’t possible for us to be in the parks at all times, so a few extra “eyes” to notify us about vandalism is very helpful. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!