Beaches & Parks

Thank you Park Committee: Lynn Altschul, Rusty Bruesch, Joann Fisher, Roberta Beranek, and Nancy Thill.  Please send your comments to: michianaclerk@michianavillage.org

Thanks to 165 generous Village residents, improvements in the park include:

the Buford Pavilion, the Big B’s Bocci Ball Court, and a play area with a zip line popular with both kids and adults. March Madness in Michiana ended with installation of new basketball backboards and hoops waiting for summer residents returning this month.   

For years, a tired park with failing playground equipment abutted a leaf mulch and yard waste storage area including mounds of sand and dirt. Only the Michiana Summer Day Camp used the park for two months each year.     

That all changed in 2020 with the opening of a new pickleball court complex, funded by the Pokagon Fund and the Village taxpayers. Soon the Village Council approved reclaiming all the park area followed by designing a new park.    

And did the Village go all out! The wish list was long … The proposed budget was high … Would Michiana residents support such an ambitious project?    

Yes! Over 45 percent of the residents responded.    

The first phone call to Robert Buford ended with a pledge for a new pavilion designed for music events or family events. Soon Berta Beranek, a new Village resident, pledged to fund a bocci court with seating. Next a long-time resident, Jurate Landwehr, donated all the swings.   

The commemorative walkway to the pickleball courts continues to be an ongoing profitable fundraising project. Seventy-five bricks sold and counting. Most residents bought one or two bricks but the Joanne Friedland Family went all out with six bricks.   

How much did the residents raise for their new park? OVER $350,000 in one year!    

“We are so close to installing the final pieces of playground equipment this year,” said Joann G. Fisher, the Village Council President. That includes the Marla Dorf Memorial Musical Garden.   

Stay tuned. A lot is happening in Michiana, like the first 

Summer Concert at the Buford Pavilion July 8. 

And the Michiana Women’s Club Pickleball Tournament July 30 & 31. 

Would you like to donate?

Sponsor a Brick $500 or $1,000 (form attached)
Sponsor a Tree for Earth Day looking to purchase (4) $2,000 each
Sponsor Adirondack Chair/with Plaque for $2,500
Sponsor a Bench/with Plaque for $5,000
All dollar amount donations are welcomed!!

Thank you to all who have donated for your continual support. 

For our list of donors, Click Here

Let’s work together to make great things happen!!

Joann G Fisher

Interested in making a donation or have any questions, please call Anne