Doggie Egg Hunt

The Doggie Egg Hunt will be returning to Cumberland Park on Saturday, April 6 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. All dogs are welcome, but registration is required. Log into your CivicRec account for all the details and to sign up. 

Email us at Wellness@westlafayette.in.gov with all Spring Egg Hunt or Doggie Egg Hunt questions. 

Are you someone who loves children and basking in the beauty of nature? If so, we have a perfect opportunity for you to serve with AmeriCorps at our summer Lilly Nature Camp as a nature camp counselor! This program is designed to let you explore the great outdoors while helping children learn and grow. Lead and implement wildlife-based conservation and environmental education programs and experiences for campers with the goal of fostering responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. Position Term: May 13, 2024 – August 6, 2024. Click here for more information. 

Benefits of Service:

• Living Allowance up to $6,084.66
• Education Award up to $1,824.07
• Personal Growth & Professional Development
• Free Dennis Wellness Center Membership
• Alumni Network
• Be a part of something bigger!

Contact Rachel Bingaman, Grant Administrator/ AmeriCorps Director, with any questions or visit our website: https://www.westlafayette.in.gov/americorps

The West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department continuously strives to improve and expand our programs to serve our community better. We are committed to creating more opportunities for our citizens, particularly in areas like summer camps, youth swimming lessons, and after-school care services. With the support of our community and staff, we can positively impact our community and transform lives. However, we need your help finding qualified staff passionate about serving our community. Below are all our current employment opportunities.

Aquatics 

• LIFEGUARD (DENNIS WELLNESS CENTER)
• DENNIS WELLNESS CENTER SWIM INSTRUCTOR
• MUNICIPAL POOL STAFF
• MUNICIPAL POOL SWIM INSTRUCTOR

Camps & Childcare

• YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR (Fulltime)
• CAMP COUNSELOR (LILLY NATURE)
• CAMP COUNSELOR (WELLNESS CENTER)
• YOUTH ENRICHMENT STAFF (CLUBHOUSE)

Internships

• COMMUNITY FORESTRY INTERN
• HORTICULTURE INTERN

Wellness and Group Exercise

• GROUP EXERCISE INSTRUCTOR
• PERSONAL TRAINER
• WELLNESS COACH

Visit MUNIS online for more information and to apply. All questions or technical issues can be addressed by Monica Wontor, West Lafayette's HR Manager.

We collaborate with the American Red Cross to provide comprehensive lifeguard training. Our course equips participants with the necessary knowledge and abilities to prevent, identify, and respond to aquatic emergencies and provide care. It covers water rescue techniques, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, and first aid skills. Click the links below to register for this blended class in your CivicRec account.

• Lifeguard Training Class-March
• Lifeguard Training Class-April

Contact: Julie Martin, Aquatics Coordinator, to learn more about our employment and lifeguarding opportunities.  

The Lilly Nature Center is all set to host its 14th annual celebration of nature on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. This free event promises to be an exciting and informative experience for nature enthusiasts of all ages. The event offers a variety of interactive demonstrations and engaging activities that revolve around birds, birds of prey, reptiles, and insects. Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher or someone who's just starting to explore the wonders of nature, there's something for everyone in this event. You'll get to learn about the unique characteristics of different bird species and observe them up close. You'll also get a chance to interact with trained handlers and learn about the habits and behaviors of birds of prey. For those who are fascinated by reptiles and insects, there are plenty of opportunities to get hands-on experience with them, too. So, bring your family and friends and join us for a day filled with fun and learning! Registration is not required. 

Thank you for another successful skating season at the Riverside Skating Center! We were able to offer more skating lessons and party rentals to our community, thanks to Amanda Jeffries' leadership as Recreation Coordinator. This season, we also added hockey clinics and pick-up playing times for our patrons.

Please note that the rink's closing date is subject to change depending on the weather conditions, but we will try our best to keep it open until mid-March. We encourage you to follow us on Facebook to stay updated on the rink's status.

Once again, we appreciate your continued support and thank you for choosing Riverside Skating Center as your destination for winter recreation!

Meet Coach Jake Hooten, our new Recreation Coordinator for the Dennis Wellness Center! Jake recently graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Sports Management and moved to West Lafayette to help start a new church in town called The Chapel.

Jake is passionate about working with kids and managing sports because he believes sports can help children create long-lasting friendships and learn core values while having fun. As a child, Jake enjoyed playing sports and believes they are one of the best ways for children to grow and learn.

Being a Recreation Coordinator is a dream come true for Jake, as he is excited to serve the families of West Lafayette in this capacity. He looks forward to seeing what the future holds! Please help us welcome Jake to our team!

All Dennis Wellness Center camp spots are currently full. We do have a few spots at the Lilly Nature Center Camp.

We understand the importance of childcare needs for families and have set up a waiting list on your CivicRec account. We prioritize safety above all else, so we will do our best to accommodate families as space becomes available. We will contact you as soon as we have an opening in the program. Please note that you should not sign up for both the Lilly Nature Center Camp and the Dennis Center Camp waiting lists!  Email us at wellness@westlafayette.in.gov with any questions. 

Art Classes with Jeannette

Location: Margerum City Hall

If you love art, you'll love all the upcoming classes at City Hall!

• Advanced Painting  & Drawing age 12 plus
• Draw & Paint with a Vision ages 5-14
• Choose Your Medium: Adults ages 16+
• Drawing, Painting & Mixed Media ages 7-12
• Creative Painting & Drawing ages 5-10
• Creative Painting & Drawing II ages 5-10
• Sculpey to Sculpture
• Spring Break Art Camp ages 7-14

Registration is open now for all the winter and spring classes. Contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator, with any questions. 

Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab. 

Dutch Oven Discoveries

Location: Happy Hollow Park 

Join Naturalist Kyle in creating culinary confections! Learn about the history of Dutch ovens and how to use one! We have three dates coming up!

• March 16
• March 30
• April 13

Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab. 

Spring Softball

Looking to engage in a fun and exciting sport? Why not give softball a try? Not only is it a great way to stay active and healthy, but it also offers a sense of camaraderie and teamwork that's hard to find elsewhere. We have both co-ed and men's leagues this spring. 

Contact Kevin Noe, Dennis Center Director, for more details and to sign up a team. 

Whoo Whoo Whoo is that Owl? 

Location: Lilly Nature Center

Learn about the owls that frequent Celery Bog and West Lafayette and their ecology. We will go out onto the Celery Bog trails in search of owls and, afterward, work together to dissect your very own owl pellet! We have two sessions coming up this spring:

• March 9 
• April 13

Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab. 

Have you been enjoying the warm weather in February? As the spring season officially begins on Tuesday, March 19, we hope the new month brings even more sunshine.

If you're planning to start gardening, visit this webpage from Almanac.com about seedlings and when to start them. Also, if you want advice on how to get rid of invasive plants in your yard, follow the Tippecanoe County Invasive Task Force on Facebook. They have great suggestions for keeping your yard native without giving up color and variety of foliage.

On Tuesday, March 5, we will be making some major adjustments to the Parks and Recreation website pages. To enhance user experience, we are moving all our pages to a new microsite with a fresh and updated landing page. We are working hard on this project behind the scenes, but please be aware that our webpages may be offline for several hours during the transition. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

We're about to spring forward again! It's happening on Sunday, March 10, so mark your calendars! Get ready for longer days and more sunlight - I know I am! If you're interested in the history of Daylight Savings Time, here's a great website to check out! 

There is going to be another De-Trash the Wabash event on Saturday, April 29. The event aims to clean up several areas, including Tapawingo Park, and needs volunteers to help pick up trash. If you are interested in participating, please sign up soon using the following link: www.tippecanoe.in.gov/1029/Wabash-River-Clean-Up.

Thank you for taking the time to read this month's newsletter and staying informed about your community's happenings. The following newsletter will be published on Sunday, March 31. Finally, if you're a West Lafayette resident, be on the lookout for our insert in the next City newsletter! It will be a cheerful reminder to all the events happening in your community. 

Sincerely, 

Heather Witt

Marketing & Communications Director