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 under the green tab. 

To ensure the safety of our staff and all the dogs, please make sure that your furry friends are up-to-date on all vaccinations and are not aggressive. Before you come, we kindly request you review all the Dog Park rules that are posted on our website. Keeping everyone safe is very important to us, so please do your part. Email us at Wellness@westlafayette.in.gov with any questions. 

As summer approaches, we are hiring seasonal staff for the Municipal Pool and summer camp program. We are also looking for personal trainers and fitness instructors, particularly those with experience teaching aqua aerobics, cycling, and senior fitness classes.

John R. Dennis Wellness Center: 

• CAMP COUNSELOR (WELLNESS CENTER)
• GROUP EXERCISE INSTRUCTOR
• LIFEGUARD (WELLNESS CENTER)
• PERSONAL TRAINER
• LIFEGUARD (WELLNESS CENTER)

Around the Parks: 

• COMMUNITY FORESTRY INTERN
• HEAD CAMP COUNSELOR (LILLY NATURE CAMP)
• HORTICULTURE INTERN
• MUNICIPAL POOL SWIM INSTRUCTOR
• MUNICIPAL POOL STAFF (LIFEGUARDS, PARTY GUARDS, CASHIERS)
• GREENSPACE ADMINISTRATOR (fulltime)

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.

The Municipal Pool is scheduled to open during Memorial weekend in late May, provided the weather stays favorable. This year, if you are a John R. Dennis Wellness Center member, you can get discounted seasonal Municipal Pool passes. (We'll have all the details in our upcoming Spring/Summer Program Guide on April 15.) If you have not done so already, please sign up for Municipal Pool communication using GovDelivery. Doing so is the best way to know when the pool closes due to weather.

To make this season successful, we need lifeguards! We have partnered with the American Red Cross to provide comprehensive lifeguard training. Our course equips participants with the 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.

The Lilly Nature Center is hosting the annual celebration of nature on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is free, and it 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 related to birds, birds of prey, reptiles, and insects. Whether you are a seasoned birdwatcher or someone just starting to explore the wonders of nature, there is something for everyone in this event. You will learn about the unique characteristics of different bird species and observe them up close. You will also get a chance to interact with trained handlers and learn about the habits and behaviors of birds of prey. If you are fascinated by reptiles and insects, there are plenty of opportunities to get hands-on experience with them. So, bring your family and friends and join us for a day filled with fun and learning! No registration is required. 

The West Lafayette Tree Friends is a volunteer organization that aims to promote economic, environmental, physical, and mental health benefits in our community by planting and nurturing trees in public right-of-way areas. They need help from volunteers for various tasks such as events, pruning, and leading the communication team for social media.

If you're interested in volunteering or have any questions, please email Paul Brennen, the Chair of the organization.

Tree Friends will be available to answer questions at the West Lafayette Farmers Market on May 29 and July 10.

Meet Molly Wagner, our outstanding employee who is versatile and adaptable. Molly began working at Riverside Skating Center three seasons ago, followed by the Dennis Wellness Center summer camp and youth programs. In the past year, she has taken on receptionist duties at Margerum City Hall and the Dennis Wellness Center, assisting with programs like Art Camp, Brick Builders, and special park events such as Global Fest and the Spring Egg Hunt.

Molly graduated with honors from Jefferson High School and played varsity softball. She is currently a freshman at Purdue University, studying engineering.

We are grateful to have Molly on our team and appreciate her willingness to help wherever needed. She's always willing to learn something new so she can help more. Molly's easygoing nature and ability to adapt quickly make her a valuable asset.

Every year since the autumn of 2009, volunteers in the Region of the Great Bend of the Wabash River watershed have been taking a snapshot assessment of water quality across the watershed. In the spring of 2011, the assessment was expanded to include sample sites within the Wildcat Creek watershed. Volunteers are responsible for monitoring the temperature, water cloudiness (turbidity), nutrient levels, and bacteria concentrations. WREC is looking for volunteers to help with this year's assessment on April 19 and 20. Visit their website for more details and to register. 

Adult Volleyball League

Location: John R. Dennis Wellness Center

Playing volleyball is a great way to stay physically active and improve your overall fitness. It's a full-body workout that helps you develop strength, agility, and coordination. Plus playing in our rec leagues is a great way to playing make new friends while having fun while you workout. 

The next session begins April 4!  Click here to register today under the ORANGE tab. 

Arbor Day with Tree Friends

Location: Cumberland Park

The West Lafayette Tree Friends are organizing the annual Arbor Day celebration, which will take place on Friday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. We will be planting 8 trees, which were generously donated by Bennett's Greenhouse:

2 - London Plane 

2-Tulip

2 - Frontier Elm

2 - Sterling Silver Linden

We would appreciate your support in making West Lafayette a Tree City USA. To learn more about Tree Friends and their endeavors in our city, please visit their website, www.wltreefriends.org, and follow them on Facebook.

Art Classes with Jeannette

Location: Margerum City Hall

If you have a passion for art, you'll be thrilled to know that City Hall is offering a variety of exciting classes! These include Advanced Painting & Drawing (for ages 12 and up), Draw & Paint with a Vision (for ages 5-14), Choose Your Medium (for adults ages 16 and up).

Miss Jeannette is also offering summer camp programs!  Camps are for various ages and art interests. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Brandy Payne, Building Administrator.

Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab. 

Basketball Clinics for Preschoolers

Location: John R. Dennis Wellness Center

Looking for a way to keep your kids active and engaged this spring? Our basketball clinics for preschoolers might be just what you need! These clinics are designed to provide a fun and safe environment for young children to learn the basics of basketball while also getting the exercise they need. Our experienced coaches will work with each child to develop their skills and help them build confidence on and off the court.

If you have any questions about our basketball clinics, please don't hesitate to reach out to Jake Hooten, our Recreation Coordinator.

Click here to register today under the ORANGE tab. 

Community Days

Location: John R. Dennis Wellness Center

Are you looking to visit us on Community Days? We'd love to have you! Our Community Days give people who are not yet members access to our fitness floor, pool, track, and lobby. Please note that childcare and classes are not included. Also, all guests need to have a signed waiver on file and if you're under 14, please make sure to bring a parent to sign the form. Visit our website to learn more and to download the guest form. As always, everyone is welcome to come and you do not need to be a West Lafayette Resident to attend. 

2024 Dates: 

• First Saturday of the Month: Noon to 5:00 p.m.
• Mother's Day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Father's Day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• July 30: International Friends Day Noon to 5 p.m.
• October 13: Breast Cancer Awareness Day 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• November 11: Veterans Day 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Nature Programs

Location: Sites Vary

We are excited to announce that we have several upcoming nature-based programs that might interest you. These include:

• Ecosystem Architects on March 23
• Dutch Oven Discoveries on April 13
• Whoo Whoo is that Owl on April 13 and May 25
• Field Herping 101 on April 26
• Insectigations on May 11 and 24

Registration for these programs is now open, and you can sign up through your CivicRec account. Contact Kyle Gebhart, Parks Naturalist with any questions. We hope to see you there!

Click here to register today under the YELLOW tab. 

Spring Softball

Location: Arni Cohen Fields

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. Visit our website for more information, including downloading the registration pack.

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

Parent/Child Swim Lessons

Location: John R. Dennis Wellness Center

• April 6 to May 11, 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 
• May 18 to June 22, 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 
• July 13 to August 17 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

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

Click here to register today under the BLUE tab. 

Pickleball for All

Location: John R. Dennis Wellness Center

If you're looking for a sport that's both fun and exciting, Pickleball might be just what you need! This game is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

This spring, we're excited to offer both Pickleball leagues and Intro to Pickleball lessons. Our leagues are perfect if you're already familiar with the game and want to compete with other players. On the other hand, if you're new to Pickleball or want to improve your skills, our Intro to Pickleball lessons are a great way to get started.

We welcome players of all levels, so whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, come join us for some fun on the court!

Contact: Jake Hooten, Recreation Coordinator, to learn more or if you have questions.

Click here to register today under the ORANGE tab. 

Youth Programs

Location: John R. Dennis Wellness Center

• Parents Night Out on April 20
• School’s Out Day on April 26

Click here to register today under the PURPLE  tab. 

Just a reminder to all our camp families, the deadline to cancel camp weeks is May 3. This needs to be done via email. No phone calls, please. 

Contact Haley Grizzle, Youth Development Coordinator, with any questions and for all camp updates. 

Whew!  On March 5, we turned several of our parks and rec website pages into a microsite!  At this point, we have most of the bugs workout, so I wanted to highlight a few new pages: 

Landing Page: When you visit www.westlafayette.in.gov/wlparks, you will see a fresh new look, which is more user-friendly. 

Events and Photos: Many people have told us that they prefer other forms of communication instead of relying on social media.  Along with social media and our monthly newsletter, we created the Events and Photos page. This page is an excellent resource for information about upcoming programs without having to wait for the last Sunday of the month or be on social media. Plus, you can see photos!  (If you have any photos so share, please send them my way!) 

Our next newsletter is scheduled to be published on Sunday, April 28th. Our Spring/Summer Program Guide will be ready by mid-April and will he shared via email and on social media. If you have any media suggestions you would like to share, please send them to Parksmedia@westlafayette.in.gov. I always look forward to breaking away from my desk and connecting with more people in our community.

Sincerely, 

Heather Witt

Marketing & Communications Director