Parks staff expand youth programming, partner with I9 and look to nontraditional activities as fall season approaches

Parks staff outlined a range of youth and community events for the coming months, including a partnership with I9 for flag football (ages 4–14), soccer (ages 3–6) and a multisport introduction session (ages 3–6). Staff said all I9 sessions will be scheduled to run on the same day and time windows rather than adding additional weekly days. Jamie, a parks staff member, said the department seeks to broaden programming beyond traditional leagues and is pursuing short-term partnerships for specialty clinics — for example, DJ and phone-photography clinics — and exploring borrowing a portable archery range from Indianapolis Parks for occasional programming. The parks schedule announced by staff includes a possible outdoor movie day (rescheduled to Aug. 29), Barbecue and Blues on Sept. 13, Loggers in Lawrence on Sept. 20, and a Labor Day weekend invitation-only soccer tournament. Dia Latina was canceled for this year, and staff discussed partnering with the state park for trunk-or-treat and other October activities. Staff also reported that Wish TV broadcast live from a recent farmer’s market that drew about 50 vendors. Staff said the parks department is pursuing sponsors and supplemental donations; one local group (FHRA) donated equipment for movement-specific classes including adaptive seating, swings for a pergola and concrete cornhole boards. Parks staff asked the board for referrals to potential sponsors as budget planning continues.