A little girl squeals with delight as she rolls her wheelchair down the ADA-compliant beach path to Stone Lake. Her mother watches her from a close distance, tears welling in her eyes, silently thanking whoever laid this path so that her daughter will always be able to enjoy days at the lake with her friends.

On the other side of town, a grandfather sits on a bench at Kesling Park, tying his grandson’s shoes before they set off for a walk. It’s the grandfather’s first outing after recovering from hip surgery, and he’s thankful for the smooth, accessible path. As they walk hand in hand toward the recently renovated Fort La Play Porte playground, both say at the same time, “I’m so happy to play at the park today!”

As dusk settles over La Porte’s neighborhoods, the sky bursts into vibrant hues of the setting sun. A local mom, dad, and two children set up their picnic basket, laughing as they lay out sandwiches and snacks while sharing stories about their day. After dinner, they stroll over to the newly installed playground, where the kids eagerly climb and slide, their giggles echoing in the evening air.

The parents pause, taking in the sight of other families enjoying the park, grateful for a space that nurtures connections—just as it did for them 20 years ago, when their own friendship first blossomed at this very Ben Rees Park. “This has always been our favorite spot,” the mother says, smiling at the father as they watch their children play. “And I’m so grateful it’s still here for all of us.”

These moments—so familiar, so ordinary—are possible in part because of the quiet work of the La Porte City Park Foundation. For nearly 40 years, this nonprofit has been the hidden treasure behind La Porte’s parks, working behind the scenes to transform the city’s parks into green spaces that bring people together for generations. The La Porte City Park Foundation is a separate 501c3 that has its own board of directors who are movers and shakers in our local community: Jim Magnuson, (President), Dave Pendergast (Vice President), Dale Parkison, (Treasurer), Drummond Osborn (Secretary), Steve Bernth, Lisa Denger, Jonathan Howes, Joann Liberatore, and Ben Konowitz.

While many assume that these improvements are funded by tax dollars, the truth is funders such as the Park Foundation drive much of the progress, raising money through campaigns, donations, endowments and community partnerships. Their contributions have helped enhance all 16 parks in La Porte over the past decade — reducing the financial burden on taxpayers.

“There’s this idea that parks just take care of themselves,” said Jim Magnuson, President of the Foundation. “But every path, every playground takes work — and funding. None of what we’ve done would have been possible without donations and community support. The Foundation’s work isn’t always flashy, but it’s vital. We’re proud of the spaces we’ve created, and we want the community to help us sustain these parks for another 40 years.”

The Park Foundation has always had a special heart for our neighborhood parks. Over the past decade, the organization has renovated playgrounds in Hastings, Allesee, Koomler, Clarke, and Ben Rees parks. In recent years, Stone Lake Beach has also been a focus with the playground and beach house renovated, as well as replenished sand and new lifeguard towers, thanks to the Foundation’s efforts.

In 2016, the Park Foundation partnered with Rotary Club of La Porte to construct the concession and restroom facility at the Kesling Park ball diamonds. Other collaborative projects include the renovation of Fort La Play Porte and tennis complex, as well as bringing the ice- skating rink to our downtown.

Last year alone, they made our parks more accessible with ADA-compliant paths and gave Kesling Park’s walking trail a fresh new surface. Even when storms destroyed a beloved park shelter at Soldiers Memorial Park, it was the Foundation that stepped up to fund its reconstruction.

“I’ve taken my son to play on equipment the Foundation funded at Hastings Park,” said Emily Archambault, Assistant Director of La Porte Park and Recreation Department. “And next year, we’ll renovate it again — keeping these spaces fresh and exciting for new generations.”

To celebrate 40 years of service, the Foundation is inviting the community to join them at their inaugural Picnic Under the Stars on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 6 PM to 10 PM at the La Porte Civic Auditorium.

The event will feature live music from Point’n Fingers, picnic-style appetizers and desserts catered by Downs Family Catering, a silent auction filled with incredible items to bid on, and door prizes to win from local businesses throughout the evening. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.laporteparkandrec.com. All proceeds will go directly toward maintaining, improving and promoting La Porte’s parks.

“Every dollar donated, every ticket purchased, it all goes back into these parks,” said Archambault. “That’s what makes this work so meaningful. It’s the community, taking care of the spaces that mean the most to us all. It’s a chance to come together as a community and celebrate everything these parks have given us while ensuring they’ll be there for every generation.”

Picnic Under the Stars is not only a fundraiser but also a friendraiser — an opportunity for us to connect with both new and longtime supporters while raising the funds needed to sustain and grow our parks. If you’ve ever walked a park trail, picnicked on a beach, or swung on a playground swing in La Porte, chances are you have benefited from the La Porte City Park Foundation’s efforts. Now, they invite you to help build the next chapter of these parks — and ensure that generations to come will have places where they can create memories of their own.