Although Main Square Park hosts many community and social events during the year, one recent outing found the locale celebrating one of their own.
The Highland Parks and Recreation Department is marking 75 years in existence and what better place to hold their birthday party than on property that once was home to Highland’s first school, grades K-8.
First on the agenda was a Proclamation recognizing the 75th birthday, read by Indiana State Senator Michael Griffin, D-Highland. Following was a short history lesson presented by Highland Clerk-Treasurer Mark Herak.
“If you want a good community, you have to have a good community of parks,” Herak said, as he spoke from the park’s gazebo. “That includes a safe environment and hometown feel.”
Hundreds of people visited the recent party in the park, which included a Self-Defense demonstration, RIPPED and Body Pump by Les Mills session, kids games and stations many food and craft vendors.
During the day, local bands entertained from the park’s gazebo.
For those looking for lunch or dinner, offerings from barbeque and tacos to funnel cakes and ice cream, with much in between, were on the day’s menu.
“It’s a beautiful day to have all this for our town,” said Gina Parker of Highland, who has been a resident for 10 years. “When we moved here from Illinois, we were told that this was a good place to raise our kids. We’ve been pleasantly surprised that that’s been true — it’s also a good place for grownups too.”
Parker had special accolades for the parks department, commenting that all of the town’s 21 parks seem to be well-kept.
The bike trail that runs through Highland is considered a Linear Park, so that brings a grand total of 22 parks under the department’s jurisdiction.
Current parks superintendent Alex. M. Brown has held this position for the past 25 years.
“I’m impressed that a Town Council, way back in 1947, had the foresight to form a separate department of Parks and Recreation,” Brown said. “It shows the value that this town placed on that 75 years ago — and still places on it today.”
There have been many changes over the years since Brown was hired.
“I’m proud of the renovation of both Main Square Park and the Lincoln Community Center. I love that we were able to add a skatepark for kids and young adults that enjoy that type of activity,” Brown added. “We also have tripled the number of recreation program offerings,”
The staff also has expanded over the years, with the current count of 17 full-time employees and 83 part-time.
Those numbers are up from the previous count 25 years ago of 16 full-time employees and 50 part-time workers,
Future plans for the Highland Parks and Recreation Dept. are ongoing,
Those on the recreation staff are always coming up with new programs, classes and special events, according to Brown.
“We also need to put down lines for more pickle ball courts indoors and are looking to build more outdoors to meet the demand,” he said. “Also, the Town Council may decide if we are developing an area where our Sharp Athletic Complex sits. If not, we need to renovate that facility.”
For more information about what the Highland Parks and Recreation Dept. has to offer, call (219) 838-0114.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
