Americorps Members 

On October 19, the AmeriCorps Park Conservation Crew from the West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department participated in a Honeysuckle removal event. This event was held in partnership with the Tippecanoe Invasive Cooperative Taskforce - TICT, Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality, and Wabash River Enhancement Corporation. A group of volunteers, AmeriCorps members, and Park staff teamed up to take on the challenge of removing invasive plant species from Tapawingo Park. They successfully cleared out a 4,529 sq ft area, totaling to 2,950 cubic feet of brush.

If you are interested in participating in similar events in the future, please click here: https://forms.gle/djT2ZuvJ8ebgBwTK7.

Click here to learn more about AmeriCorps in West Lafayette.

To learn more or for questions, contact Rachel Bingaman, Grant Administrator.

Farmers Market Season and Special

We just wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to our wonderful Greater Lafayette community for yet another amazing market season! We couldn't have done it without your unwavering support and enthusiasm. We're also incredibly grateful for our hardworking vendors and market staff, who have been instrumental in making this season a success. We're especially thankful for Shelly, Kaelin, Eddie, Annette, and Blake, who have been working tirelessly to bring you the best market experience possible. We'll miss Eddie and Annette dearly and wish them all the best in their well-deserved retirement.

But don't worry, we're already gearing up for the next season and looking for new faces to help us make it even better! So if you're interested in being part of the market team in 2024, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at parks@westlafayette.in.gov

And speaking of markets, don't forget to save-the-date for the annual Day Before Thanksgiving Market, which will be held indoors at the Wellness Center on November 22 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. This is going to be an incredible event with more than 40 vendors, and we can't wait to see you there! If you're interested in signing up, there is still room available. Please contact Shelly at wlaf.farmersmarket@gmail.com with any questions or to sign up.

Thank you again for your continued support, and we'll see you at the market!

Harvest Hustle 5K

Our annual Harvest Hustle 5K was cancelled due to inclement weather. If you registered for the event, you'll be automatically enrolled for the 2024 race on October 11 at 6 p.m. If you have not received your t-shirt, you can pick it up at the Wellness Center.

Contact Bryce Patz, Community Forestry and Greenspace Planner, with any questions. 

Park Survey Coming Soon

Starting November 1st and running through December 15th, we will be conducting a survey to gather feedback on how we can improve our parks and facilities for the community. Here are the questions we'll be asking:

1. Do you feel welcome when visiting our parks, facilities, and programs?
2. Do our staff and independent contractors greet you warmly?
3. How often do you visit our parks, and what would encourage you to visit more frequently?
4. Can you suggest any minor improvements that you would like to see in our parks and facilities?
5. Have you considered any program ideas you want added to our parks and facilities?
6. Do you have any suggestions for making our parks and facilities more accessible and inclusive for all community members?
7. If you have any additional feedback, including your name, please feel free to share. We would appreciate the opportunity to contact you.

We will distribute the survey via email and post within our facilities. Paper copies will be available at City Hall and the Wellness Center.

Softball Highlights

On October 13, our Senior Softball players attended a ceremony at Arni Cohen Fields, where we added a plaque to Sam's Bench recognizing all our former, current, and future players. While their season draws to a close at the end of the month, we are already looking forward to seeing everyone again in the spring.

We want to extend a huge thank you to all the teams who participated in our summer and fall recreation leagues. As we grieve the loss of our beloved coordinator, Bob Nicholson, we are reminded of the profound impact he had on us and the remarkable legacy he has left behind. Bob was the true embodiment of West Lafayette softball, and we are privileged to have been his home away from home for more than three decades. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bob for everything he did for us. He will be greatly missed. 

Riverside Skating Center 

100 Tapawingo Drive North, West Lafayette 47906

Weather-permitting, the RSC will open on November 24 for the season. 

The RSC provides private and group skating lessons with trained staff. To register for lessons, click the Sports and Recreation tab in your CivicRec account.

Looking for a fun and unique way to celebrate a special occasion during the winter months in West Lafayette? Consider hosting a skate party at the Riverside Skating Center! We offer private rental options for those looking to enjoy the ice with friends and family. Weekday rentals are $225 (plus tax) for a two-hour session, while weekend rentals are $250 (plus tax) for the same timeframe (please note that skate rental is not included in this price).

Login with your CivicRec account to register. All the details are in the gray Rentals tab. 

Wellness Center Reminders 

On October 24, we sent a reminder email to our members, clearly stating that running any kind of business within the Wellness Center is strictly prohibited. We take this matter seriously and kindly request you read the letter to ensure you are informed and comply with the rules. Click here to read the letter. 

It has come to our attention that some high school and middle school students are still entering the bathrooms and changing rooms together, which is causing concern. We want to remind all students that, as stated on several signs in the locker area, only one student should be occupying a changing space at any given time. Sharing is not permitted. If we observe this behavior, we will notify parents of all students involved, and disciplinary action, such as suspension, may be taken. 

As we approach the holiday season, we wanted to let you know that we may experience staffing shortages. Most of our employees are college students who will be heading home for the holidays, while a few of our instructors will be taking time off to spend with their families. We kindly request your patience during this time. We have exceptional employees, and one way we can show our gratitude is by allowing them to take time off during the holidays and shortening hours as needed. 

Finally, save the date for our 3rd Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, January 27. This event will be open to the community. We'll share more details in our December newsletter.

Art Workshops with Jeannette

Location: City Hall

This fall and winter, Miss Jeannette is offering a range of diverse classes for artists of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're looking to improve your drawing skills or aspire to become a proficient painter, there are classes tailored to your specific needs.

Contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator, with any questions. 

Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab. 

Curiosity Quest

Location: City Hall

Ages 5 to 10

This homeschool enrichment course is designed for students in K-4th grades and provides engaging and hands-on learning activities. Participants are encouraged to take ownership of their time and contribute to the class sessions for everyone to enjoy. The program includes various activities such as art, books, music, writing, and sensory explorations.

Contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator, with any questions. 

Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab. 

Camps for Fall and Winter Breaks

Location: Wellness Center

Ages: 5 to 12 Years Old

If you're in search of reliable childcare options during winter break, look no further! We offer a wide range of exciting activities for children, including crafts, indoor/outdoor games, and swimming. You'll be required to pack your child's lunch each day, but we'll provide delicious snacks.

December 26-29 & January 2-5 (Registration opens November 20)

Login with your CivicRec account and click the PURPLE tab for more details. 

Contact Ashley Conner, Youth Development Coordinator, with any questions. 

Gingerbread and Jammies

Location: Wellness Center

Saturday, December 9 

12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Wear your favorite holiday pajamas and decorate a gingerbread house with your family. Registration is required and available in CivicRec.

Click here to register today!

Email us at Wellness@westlafayette.in.gov with any questions.

Music Lessons

Location: City Hall 

This fall, private music lessons for acoustic, bass, and lead guitar, ukulele, and songwriting are being offered to individuals of all ages. The esteemed instructor, Douglas Gery, specializes in providing guidance and instruction to musicians of all abilities, whether you're a beginner or an advanced musician. You can take part in private or group music lessons in a safe and supportive environment to enhance your skills and explore your passion for music. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to develop your musical talent! Sign up today as space is limited.

Contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator, with any questions. 

Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab. 

Sunday with Santa

Location: Wellness Center

Sunday, December 10 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Come and celebrate the joyous season with Santa! Join us for an afternoon filled with delightful activities such as crafting, writing or drawing a wish list, taking photos with Santa himself, and indulging in delicious refreshments.

Registration for this event is necessary and can be easily done through CivicRec under the GREEN tab.

Email us at Wellness@westlafayette.in.gov with any questions.

Skate with Santa

Location: Riverside Skating Center

Saturday, December 16 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Santa invites you, your parents and friends to join us for a fun-filled morning. The event will include a breakfast of donuts, hot cocoa, juice, and milk served by Santa’s elves, along with skating with the jolly old elf himself. This will be a great photo opportunity so bring your camera. To really enjoy this event, we recommend children be of skating age and size.

Click here to register today under the GREEN tab. 

Contact Amanda Jeffries, Recreational Coordinator, with any questions.

Yoga Balance Team

Location: Lilly Nature Center 

If you're seeking more balance in your life, join the Yoga Balance Team at the Lilly Nature Center this fall and winter. We have several instructors, all with a focus on helping your body heal and your brain release with movement.

Instructor Alie McManus is hosting two yoga workshops on November 11: 

Feel the Gratitude 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Energize and Restore 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

 Contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator, with any questions. 

Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab. 

Youth Basketball Clinic & League

Location: Wellness Center

Ages 3 to 11

Our basketball clinic is designed to help children aged 3 to 5 develop their skills and learn the game. The clinic will include a 30-minute skills practice followed by a 20-minute game. The sessions are all full for October, and there will be a new clinic in January.

Our basketball program helps children between the ages of 5 and 11. Our goal is to provide a fun and safe environment for kids to develop their fundamental basketball skills, such as scoring, passing, and form. We believe teamwork is essential to the game and emphasize its importance throughout the program. Each participant will receive a jersey, and we offer one practice and game per week to ensure that kids have ample opportunities to improve their skills. All fall sessions are full, but save the date to sign up for the winter league:

Registration is open in your CivicRec account under the ORANGE tab. Contact Rachel MacDougall, Sports and Wellness Coordinator, with any questions and for more information about volunteering. 

Communication Updates

November is a month that is often associated with reflection and gratitude. Personally, I am aware of how blessed I am, and I hope you feel the same way, too. Sometimes, we fail to recognize the things that are truly blessings in disguise until we slow down and take a closer look at them. For instance, being asked to volunteer may seem like an additional task on your already overloaded plate, but it could also indicate that you have the necessary skills and follow-through to be of great help to others. 

At the West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department, we are incredibly grateful for all the service groups and organizations that support us. Throughout November, we will be featuring these organizations on our social media platforms to show our appreciation for their partnership. We understand that our success largely depends on the support we receive from our partners, including the Park Boards, the Mayor's Office, and the HR team. This annual social media trend is one of my favorites because it allows us to slow down and express our gratitude. It's also a great opportunity to surprise people and organizations with just how much they mean to us. Sometimes, they're unaware of their positive impact! Plus, it always feel nice to be thanked. 

Let's take some time this month to reflect on the good things in our lives. Write about them, post about them, and see if you can experience the benefits of positive reflection and meditation, such as better sleep, lower blood pressure, and increased energy. Counting your blessings and not your troubles really will benefit you, your health, and your family. 

That's all for this month's newsletter. Our next newsletter will be out on November 26. If you have any ideas or stories, please email us at parksmedia@westlafayette.in.gov.

Sincerely, 

Heather Wiltse Witt

Membership & Marketing Director

WL Parks and Recreation