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Porter County parks board discusses master plan, outreach and expanding events including beer gardens and concert series
Summary
Board members discussed drafting a five-year master plan, joining the Indiana Partners for Clean Air Coalition, and expanding events — including beer gardens through October and a concert series at the new amphitheater — to drive park visitation across Porter County.
Board members and staff used committee reports to outline next steps on a five‑year master plan and to expand programming and outreach. Staff said they were invited to join the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s Partners for Clean Air Coalition and requested the board pick a membership level; membership could unlock grant opportunities for projects such as electric vehicle charging stations.
Members emphasized bringing people to parks with events — beer gardens, farmer’s markets and a summer concert series at the new amphitheater — to showcase new facilities and attract different geographic areas of Porter County. Staff said they are exploring event partners, including a production company that can run a scaled concert series (example cited: Hometown Jams) and that prices for a larger show could fall in the $10,000–$15,000 range for a headliner plus operations.
The board also confirmed plans to expand the beer garden schedule through October, aligning one beer garden with trunk-or-treat so adults could use both offerings. Staff said they will coordinate with the parks foundation and other event partners and bring back recommendations on membership level and a budget plan for grants or charging-station installations.
Ending: Staff will create a draft master-plan working document to circulate to the board and will bring membership options and grant timelines for the Partners for Clean Air Coalition to the next meeting.
