Grand Opening Celebration of Northside Park in Huntingburg with Park Board President Dustin Schmett
The City of Huntingburg celebrated the grand opening of Northside Park on Tuesday, with Park Board President Dustin Schmett cutting the ribbon during the ceremony. The new park, located at 395 W. 19th Street, features a modern climbing structure, swings for all ages and abilities, a ground-level merry go round, a musical center, cornhole boards, and a basketball court with lines for pickleball play.
The celebration included remarks from Mayor Neil Elkins, former mayors Steve Schwinghamer and Denny Spinner, former Mayor Youth Council president Paige Kendall, DNR Grants Coordinator Erica Gummere, Park Board President Dustin Schmett, and Parks Superintendent Dale Payne. Paige Kendall, the first president of the Mayor’s Youth Council, spoke about the council’s efforts to create spaces that improve the community.
The project originated from the My Community, My Vision program, which empowers young leaders to shape the future of their communities. Former Mayor Spinner explained that the idea for the park came from the Stellar Communities Program in 2014, with land donations from developer Jane Hendrickson and the Dubois County Community Foundation.
Park Superintendent Dale Payne highlighted the uniqueness of Huntingburg having five parks for a city its size. The City expressed gratitude to all who contributed to bringing the park to life and Mayor Elkins emphasized the park’s importance as a gathering space for neighbors and a place for youth to create lasting memories.
The project was completed with a $300,000 grant from the DNR, with a stipulation that the land be used as a park in perpetuity. The City of Huntingburg looks forward to welcoming the community to this new space and fostering friendships and memories within the park.
