Parks update: trails, waterpark winterized, Eli Lilly volunteers and fall events announced
September 22, 2025 | Lebanon City, Boone County, Indiana
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Parks staff reported maintenance and event preparations at the Sept. 22 Board of Works meeting, including trail repairs, waterpark winterization and a large volunteer effort from Eli Lilly scheduled for Sept. 25.
Why it matters: Park improvements and large volunteer days affect public access, event operations and scheduling for community activities this fall.
John Messenger, parks department, said crews removed several dead trees and stumps at Abner and Memorial Park, applied material to Stoneater Bike Park and worked with volunteers and contractors to improve trail surfaces ahead of an October race organized by NIKA. Messenger thanked Kevin Kralik and Triangle Asphalt's Steve Day for work on trail smoothing and asphalt grinding.
He announced Seashore Waterpark and the splash pad were winterized and that staff identified maintenance items to correct over the coming months. Messenger said city staff and supervisors met with Eli Lilly in preparation for its Global Day of Service on Thursday, Sept. 25, and that 475 volunteers are expected to participate in projects across the city and surrounding communities.
Messenger listed upcoming events and closures: the Big 4 Trail will close temporarily for asphalt repairs; Lake Lincoln Days will run the coming weekend with historical-society information available at boomcountyhistorical.org and cannons planned to fire about 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; Liza's Autumn Academy and the Lebanon Youth Football League continue through October; Pumpkins in the Parks is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., with activities and a $5 per person cost; and the 2025 Christmas parade is planned for the first Saturday in December (Messenger said he believed that date but did not give a confirmed date in the meeting packet).
Messenger noted the department hosted multiple community events recently, including a Corvette Club display and a homecoming parade. He closed by thanking DPW for painting parking lines and the parks staff for event logistics.
No board actions were taken on the parks items; the report was informational.
Why it matters: Park improvements and large volunteer days affect public access, event operations and scheduling for community activities this fall.
John Messenger, parks department, said crews removed several dead trees and stumps at Abner and Memorial Park, applied material to Stoneater Bike Park and worked with volunteers and contractors to improve trail surfaces ahead of an October race organized by NIKA. Messenger thanked Kevin Kralik and Triangle Asphalt's Steve Day for work on trail smoothing and asphalt grinding.
He announced Seashore Waterpark and the splash pad were winterized and that staff identified maintenance items to correct over the coming months. Messenger said city staff and supervisors met with Eli Lilly in preparation for its Global Day of Service on Thursday, Sept. 25, and that 475 volunteers are expected to participate in projects across the city and surrounding communities.
Messenger listed upcoming events and closures: the Big 4 Trail will close temporarily for asphalt repairs; Lake Lincoln Days will run the coming weekend with historical-society information available at boomcountyhistorical.org and cannons planned to fire about 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; Liza's Autumn Academy and the Lebanon Youth Football League continue through October; Pumpkins in the Parks is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., with activities and a $5 per person cost; and the 2025 Christmas parade is planned for the first Saturday in December (Messenger said he believed that date but did not give a confirmed date in the meeting packet).
Messenger noted the department hosted multiple community events recently, including a Corvette Club display and a homecoming parade. He closed by thanking DPW for painting parking lines and the parks staff for event logistics.
No board actions were taken on the parks items; the report was informational.
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