CHAPTER 5 - PARKS AND RECREATION

Sec. 5-1 Authority to Operate.

Sec. 5-2 Department of Parks and Recreation established.

Sec. 5-3 Composition of Board of Parks and Recreation.

Sec. 5-4 Terms of Board Members.

Sec. 5-5 Officers of the Board.

Sec. 5-6 Meetings of the Board.

Sec. 5-7 Quorum.

Sec. 5-8 Powers and Duties of the Board.

Sec. 5-9 Advisory Council / Special Committee

Sec. 5-10 Budget; Gifts.

Sec. 5-11 Duties of the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation.

Sec. 5-12 Incorporation of the State Park and Recreation Law.

Sec. 5-13 Naming of Town Parks.

CHAPTER 5 - PARKS AND RECREATION

Sec. 5-1 Authority to Operate.¹

The Town may establish, aid, maintain, and operate public parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities and programs.

Sec. 5-2 Department of Parks and Recreation Established.

(a) The Department of Parks and Recreation is established for the purpose of promoting and providing greater opportunities for the park and recreation programs within the Town of Kentland.
(Ord. No. 1976 - 8-14A)

(b) Because recreation is a fundamental need essential to the well-being of people, and because parks are primary facilities for public recreation, it is the purpose to consolidate such services into one department.

(c) The Department of Parks and Recreation shall be composed of the Board of Parks and Recreation, a Superintendent, and such other personnel as the Board may determine.²
(Ord. No. 1976-8-14A,§1)

Sec. 5-3 Composition of Board of Parks and Recreation.

(a) The Board shall be composed of four (4) members, and a member of the Board of School Trustees, and the Library Board ex officio.

(b) The Town Executive shall select the regular members on the basis of their interest in and knowledge of parks and recreation, but no more than two (2) members shall be of the same political party.

(c) The ex officio members shall be selected by their respective Boards, and said Boards shall also fill any vacancy that may occur in the ex officio members.
(Ord. No. 1976-8-14A §2).

Sec. 5-4 Terms of Board Members.³

(a) Upon the establishment of a Board, the terms of the members initially appointed shall be one (1), two (2), three (3), and four (4) years. The Town Executive shall make his initial appointments within ninety (90) days of the adoption of this Sub-section. Thereafter as a term expires, appointment shall be made by the Town Executive for a four (4) year term.

(b) All terms shall expire on the first Monday of January, but an appointee shall continue in office until his successor is appointed.

(c) All reappointments to the Board shall be made by the Town Executive by the first Monday in April of each year or the incumbent shall continue to serve another four (4) year term.

(d) If a vacancy on the Board occurs the Town executive shall appoint a member for the unexpired term.
(Ord. No. 1976-8-14A,§3)

Sec. 5-5 Officers of the Board.

At its first regular meeting in each year, the Board shall elect a president and a vice-president. The vice-president shall have authority to act as the president of the Board during the absence or disability of the president. The Board may select a secretary either within or without its own membership.
(Ord. No. 1976-8-14A, §4)

Sec. 5-6 Meetings of the Board.

(a) All meetings of the Board shall be in public.

(b) The Board shall fix the time and place of its meetings, with such meetings being held at least quarterly.

(c) Special meetings may he called by the President of the Board, or by two (2) members giving written request to the Secretary.

Sec. 5-7 Quorum.

A majority of members constitutes a quorum, with official action of the Board needing at least three (3) members present and acting.

Sec. 5-8 Powers and Duties of the Board.

The Board of Parks and Recreation shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To perform all acts necessary to acquire and develop sites and facilities for park and recreation functions;
(Ord. No. 1976-8-14A, §5)

(2) To exercise general supervision and make rules for the department;

(3) To establish rules governing the use of park and recreation facilities by the public;

(4) To establish standards and qualifications for appointment of personnel;

(5) To make recommendations and file an annual report concerning the operation of park and recreation programs;

(6) To exercise such other powers and duties authorized by statute.⁴

Sec. 5-9 Advisory Council / Special Committees.

The Board may create an advisory council and special committees composed of citizens interested in the problem of park and recreation in accordance with I.C. 36-10-3-17 as it may be amended from time to time.
(Ord. No. 1976-8-14A, §6).

Sec. 5-10 Budget; Gifts.

(a) The Board shall prepare and submit an annual budget in the same manner as other departments of the City government as prescribed by the State Board of Accounts.

(b) The Board may accept gifts, donations, and subsidies for park and recreation purposes.
(Ord. No. 1976-8-14A, §7)

Sec. 5-11 Duties of the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation.

Under the direction of the Board of Parks and Recreation, the Superintendent shall have the following duties:

(1) propose an annual plan for the operation of the department;

(2) administer the plan as approved by the Board;

(3) experience the general administration of the department;

(4) maintain and preserve all records, papers, and documents. of the department;

(5) recommend person for appointment;

(6) appoint employees subject to Board approval;

(7) prepare and submit an annual report to the Board; and

(8) perform other duties that the Board directs.⁵

Sec. 5-12 Incorporation of the State Park and Recreation Law.

The applicable section of the Park and Recreation Law presently found at I.C. 36-10-3-1 through I.C. 36-10-3-39, as it may be amended from time to time, are incorporated herein by reference.

Sec. 5-13 Naming of Town Parks

(a) The 13.5 acre park located at North First Street (C.R. 350W) and C.R. 15005 shall be named the "Alvin C. Cast Park", after the late Alvin C. Cast who was a major figure in the community for over half a century. He provided leadership as an educator, businessman, and local and state political leader. (Res. 82-6-14)

¹ I.C.36-10-2-2 addresses recreation facilities and programs.

² I.C. 36-10-3-3 addresses the establishment of a Department of Parks and Recreation.

³ I.C. 36-10-3-6 addresses the removal procedures of Board members.

⁴ I.C.36-10-3-10 and I.C. 36-10-3-11 sets forth the duties the Board of Parks and Recreation.

⁵ I.C. 36-10-3-14 sets forth the duties of the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation.