The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved placement of promotional signs for the Little Wolves Early Learning Center at multiple parks during its July 16 meeting. The board voted to take the item off the table and then approved the advertising request by voice vote.
Board members and staff detailed exactly where signs will go: three at Patriot Park, two at Pullman Field, two at Water Tower Park, two at Gardena Park, and one each at Walker Park, Cleveland Park and Tall Timbers; none at Washington Park. Board members discussed keeping several signs at the busiest entrances to reach local park users.
The vote followed public comment from resident Tommy Kolovic, who cited municipal code and urged denial. Kolovic said, “This is actually prohibited under section 19.05 of our municipal code under subsection I prohibits all premises signs anywhere in the city,” and warned approving the request would open the parks to other businesses.
Parks department staff responded that they reviewed the cited section and that the municipal code reference Kolovic raised applies to city rights-of-way, while the parks’ own rules and the board’s prior practice allow partner signage with board approval. A staff member told the board: “Please. This afternoon, I did take a look at section 19.05 that you referenced. And it looks like that covers the city. I then went to the parks department rules and regulations, and I saw nothing for that. In fact, it seems that if it comes in accordance with the board's decision to move forward, that it would be acceptable.” The staff member also noted that Little Wolves is a school partner and distinguished partner signage from commercial advertising.
Board discussion acknowledged the concern about precedent but emphasized the partnership and early‑education goals. A board member said, “...being that, like, Laura said, this is a, you know, a city partner and it just the the importance of education at that age... I think it's important to get that word out with our one of our city partners.”
Outcome: Motion to approve the Little Wolves Early Learning Center advertising in the proposed locations passed on a voice vote after a second; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript. The board did not adopt any new written amendment or ordinance during the vote; the approval was an item-level action by the board.
The board noted earlier concerns about placing signs near the zoo and playground areas because signs there had previously been damaged by children playing with them. Staff said locations across the street from the zoo were suggested as alternatives but could face the same vandalism risk.
The board’s approval does not change the municipal code. Staff clarified the distinction between city rights-of-way and park properties and said they will proceed under existing parks rules and the board’s decision.
Less urgent: the item originated as tabled business; the board removed it from the table before discussion and moved on to subsequent agenda items.