Parks Department reports new shelters, increased rentals and driving-range land purchase

The Logansport Parks Department presented its 2024 annual report Wednesday, detailing investments and usage gains tied to the city’s five-year master plan.

Parks Director Jan told the board the department completed the five-year master plan and followed its recommendations by restoring the shelter at Spencer Park and building replacement shelters at Spencer and Bishop parks. The department also completed court and surface work for basketball and futsal, renovated the Iron Horse Depot area, and advanced work on a new clubhouse at Dyckman Park Municipal Golf Course.

Jan reported a marked rise in rentals and park use: rentals increased by about 25% to 407 bookings across shelter and indoor spaces, the department recorded roughly 25,267 rounds of golf at Dyckman (the highest since the early 2000s), and special events—including a drive-through Christmas event and a public solar-eclipse gathering—drew several hundred attendees. The parks team installed new rule signage, added soccer goals at Fairview and Bishop parks, and built a kayak launch at Eel River Access.

The department also purchased approximately 10 acres adjacent to the No. 4 fairway for a planned driving range; Jan said the purchase involved city, county and redevelopment commission support along with private donors and contractors. Jan said the golf course received tree plantings and cart-pad repaving for the first nine holes and that the department anticipates further clubhouse work this year.

Board members thanked the department for the improvements and accepted the annual report by roll-call vote.