Welcome to Parks & Recreation

This department is responsible for Riverside Cemetery and all city parks including the upkeep of all the athletic fields, swimming pools, and facilities within these parks. The division head is supported by Christy Brown, Administrative Assistant, and four full-time parks maintenance employees. During the spring and summer months, several temporary part-time employees are hired to supplement the permanent staff. These temporary employees help out with the additional landscaping duties and city pool needs. Applications for these positions are available beginning in March.

Along with its regular maintenance duties, the Parks Division also provides a variety of annual activities for the community. "Clean Up Your Park Day" is held in April. An estimated 300 volunteers show up with their garden tools to aid in cleaning up the winter debris at their favorite park.

Other events held in the city parks are "Cruizin' in the Park, Art in the Park, July 4th Fireworks Celebration, Luau Party (started in 2000), Hispanic Awareness and Morbapaloosa (movies shown on Fridays).

Shelter houses can be reserved through the Parks & Recreation Department for citizen use.

Every August, volunteers from the Defiance College (freshman in-service day) help to do painting, cleaning and general yard work. The Master Gardeners volunteer their time to plant flowers and maintain the floral landscaping of several areas.

And, vital to the operation and policy-making of the parks system is the Park Board. This board consists of nine active members. Parks Board Meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month (as needed) at 5:00 p.m. This meeting is open to the public and is held at the City Service Building, Community Room, located at 631 Perry Street.