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Muncie parks report: resource fair drew nearly 100; summer registrations, NFL flag program underway
Summary
Parks staff reported a resource fair with about 96 attendees, ongoing summer program sign-ups and presented the NFL flag program run by Third and 11, which remains free and capped at roughly 120 children.
Parks staff told the board on Feb. 18 that a recent resource fair at Minnetrista drew roughly 96 attendees and provided resume-building, financial literacy and entrepreneurship workshops for youth. The event included partners such as Ball State University, Ivy Tech, the Muncie Library, EcoRehab and Muncie Community Schools.
Nikki, the parks programming coordinator, said in-person summer program registration continues and the department will host an in-person registration weekend at the Walker Event Center in March from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Staff also outlined planned events including National Kids to the Park Day on May 17 at Cannon Commons and a July 22 back-to-school supply giveaway organized with Walmart South.
Brandon Hayes, an administrator at Southside Middle School and founder of Third and 11, described the NFL flag football program that partners with the parks department. Hayes said the K-6 coed program runs four weeks, one day per week, with practice immediately before games to limit travel for families. The program has been free to participants for the last two years; uniforms and stipends for coaches were paid for by sponsors and parks department support. Hayes said organizers capped registration at about 120 children to match available coaching and referee staffing and that parks helped supply uniforms last season.
Hayes said he is seeking additional sponsorships and is in talks with an Indianapolis coach to help find funding to reduce the program’s cost to the department. He noted the mayor wanted the program to remain free last year and that the department helped cover uniform costs. The board did not vote to change program fees; staff said registration will continue and they will monitor costs and sponsorships as registrations finalize.
Parks staff also described planned community partnerships including coat drives and a Nov. 4 distribution at McCullough Cabin and a trunk-or-treat set for Oct. 18.
