Huntingburg Park Board meeting: Learns about new fitness court at Niehaus Park, discusses pickleball court changes

The Huntingburg Park Board learned it was the recipient of a $30,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign to support the creation of an outdoor fitness court in Niehaus Park.

The fitness court would complement existing recreational amenities at Niehaus Park, which already attracts residents for the walking/running path, disc golf course and driving range. Officials noted that many people, including those from nearby businesses, regularly cross the highway during lunch breaks and other times to use the park for exercise.

The fitness courts feature a softened surface with multiple exercise features for plyometric and bodyweight exercises. The types of exercises vary, and users have multiple options, including elevated platforms for step-ups, skip-overs, box jumps, rings for push-ups and inverted rows, various styles and heights of pull-up bars, and an agility exercise area, as well as stations to work the core and back.

A phone application is also available from the national organization that demonstrates the various exercises and provides a seven-minute fitness routine using the equipment. Here is a video that features information on the initiative.

Mayor Neil Elkins told the board he and the Mayor’s Youth Council were raising the remaining $100,000 needed for the fitness court. They are seeking sponsors for the new feature and advertisers to help offset the cost of maintenance.

He told the board they don’t plan on using any public funds or tax dollars to complete the project.

The decision to place the fitness court at Niehaus Park was based on data showing high activity levels in that area. Officials said fitness tracking data from phones and watches revealed the park as one of the most popular locations for physical activity in the city.

The outdoor fitness court would serve users of all fitness levels and ages, aligning with the city’s vision of creating spaces where anyone regardless of age or fitness level can exercise together. Similar installations in other Indiana cities, including Mishawaka, Elkhart and Marion, have received positive feedback from mayors and residents.

“I’ve talked to people up in Mishawaka, actually visited the one up there, Elkhart. I’ve been to one in Marion,” said Mayor Elkins. “The mayors there love them. They get a lot of use.”

The resolution approval by the Parks Board represents the initial step in the grant process. The resolution now moves to the Common Council for consideration before the project can advance to subsequent phases, including engineering assessments and final site planning.

The project is expected to be completed by 2026.

Pickleball courts

The board approved adding a third court and changing the surface from asphalt to concrete.

Originally added to the budget in 2023, the project has been delayed for various reasons. First, due to the construction of a retaining wall that matched the aesthetic of League Stadium, and now due to problems with the asphalt contractor chosen for the surfacing of the court.

According to Mayor Elkins, the contractor is attempting to schedule the surfacing around street projects in the area, but is very busy. The company has also been hampered by the fire at its asphalt plant earlier this year.

He said the company indicated they would not deploy equipment for the pickleball courts until they could combine it with street work, potentially pushing completion into next year.

“We’ve been waiting for our contractor on the asphalt forever,” said Mayor Elkins, explaining the delays that have left residents questioning the project’s progress. “They’re still saying they are so far behind right now.”

During Monday’s regular park board meeting, the board unanimously voted to expand the project from two courts to three for a little over $2,000 and use concrete instead of asphalt to complete construction by the end of the year. The change allows city crews to handle the work in-house rather than waiting for an outside contractor.

The total project cost remains within the previously approved budget of approximately $15,000, with most funding carried over from 2023.

Huntingburg Herbstfest

The Park Board reviewed the annual Herbstfest application, which remains largely unchanged from previous years. New additions include a women’s softball league at the stadium and a hot dog eating contest. Herbstfest Chair Eric Jochim requested city assistance with parade setup and park arrangements. Security concerns were addressed, with the Huntingburg Police Department planning to have a booth and reserve officers patrolling. The board also discussed relocating the quiet zone from the busy corner to either the beginning or end of the parade route to better accommodate noise-sensitive attendees while maintaining practical enforcement capabilities.

Special Event Application Process Review

City Director of Community Engagement and Development Kenlee Steffe asked the board to clarify when a special event application would be necessary for use of the parks. The board agreed that applications are required when events need city resources, park reservations, or special accommodations, but not for basic gatherings like prayer meetings or small community activities. The distinction focused on whether the event differs from normal park usage and requires additional city services. The board agreed to streamline the process by having staff report known events and only requiring formal applications when special arrangements are needed. This approach reduces administrative burden while ensuring proper oversight of events requiring city resources or exclusive park access.

Southridge High School Soccer Field Agreement

Southridge High School requested the use of League Stadium’s outfield for soccer games due to winter kill damage on their Bermuda grass at the school’s soccer field. The school’s field experienced significant damage over winter, and despite re-sprigging efforts, equipment failures during installation caused additional delays because the grass was not watered in within the time needed to ensure it would propagate. The proposed solution allows the school to host home games while their field recovers, with hopes of returning to their facility by September 13th. The board approved the arrangement at $50 per game, recognizing the importance of keeping games local for revenue generation and community support.

Senior Citizen Center

Construction on the senior citizen center remains on schedule with a planned October completion.

Tennis court maintenance and facility updates

The board briefly discussed positive feedback on recently resurfaced tennis courts. Citizens report excellent court conditions but note netting issues that require attention. According to Steffe, some kids are playing an organized game with soccer balls inside the courts. Called Futnet, or soccer tennis, the sport uses a tennis court and involves kicking the ball over the net. The board discussed whether they should be restricted to tennis only. Merkel said he would assess signage needs and net replacement costs to maintain the courts’ improved condition.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 15th, 2025, at 4 p.m.