Park board approves two community run events, including K‑9 5K and Travis Russell run‑a‑thon

The Elkhart Parks and Recreation Board unanimously approved two use-and-event permits: an annual K‑9 5K hosted by the police K‑9 unit and the fifth annual Travis Russell run‑a‑thon at Walker Park, organizers told the board.

Jared Davies, a K‑9 handler with the police department, described the K‑9 5K as a pet-friendly, family-oriented 3.1-mile loop that starts at Elkhart High School and runs through American Park and River Walk. "It's a pet friendly, family oriented event for people to come and interact with us in the K 9 Unit," Davies said. He confirmed the unit will comply with the city ordinance requiring dogs to be leashed during the event and that the group has provided the city with a liability insurance certificate.

Organizer Travis Russell said his event is a fundraising run for Faith Mission and veteran shelters; the March 8 event will run multiple 5K waves across the day. Russell told the board prior years’ totals raised exceeded $22,000 and estimated 75 to 100 participants across the day, with peak moments of 40 to 50. He raised a concern about restroom availability at Walker Park after seasonal removal of portable restrooms; Superintendent Jamieson Czarnecki said the department removes restrooms for winter due to cost but planned to reinstall restroom facilities for spring events and would ensure temporary porta‑potties for Russell's March 8 date if the permanent restroom building was not yet open.

Both events had required liability insurance on file and organizers confirmed compliance with park rules. The board moved, seconded and recorded unanimous votes to approve both permits.