FRENCH LICK – Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) announced Mishawaka has earned an Aim Community Placemaking Award for Heroes Park. The city was honored with this award on October 6 during the Annual Awards Luncheon – presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC during the 2021 Aim Ideas Summit in French Lick. Mishawaka won in the 25,001 to 50,000 population category.
Mishawaka’s Mayor Youth Advisory Council took the lead on Heroes Park and worked hard to raise funds for a place for teenagers to hang out in the city. In collaboration with a city planned park improvement project, the Youth Council was involved in every aspect of the project, from the design and budget to biding and board meetings. The outcome of Heroes Park includes permanent games, a Ninja Warrior Course, hammock station, and dedications to the heroes living in the community, all of which can be seen in the video below.
“I am blown away by what the youth of Mishawaka were able to accomplish with Heroes Park. This is such smart, creative way to engage young people in city government. The collaborative approach resulted in an amazing asset that will give children of all ages something to do while honoring those who served others, particularly teens, during the pandemic,” said Aim CEO Matt Greller.
Conference Facts:
2021 Aim Ideas Summit
October 5-7, 2021
French Lick Resort
Attendance: 1,000 (pending final registration count)
Further information: www.aimindiana.org
Since the 1890s, Aim, formerly the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, has been an advocate for Indiana municipalities. Aim is the official voice of municipal government in Indiana, with more than 460 cities and towns as members. Our purpose is to foster, promote and advocate for the success of Hoosier municipalities as laboratories of innovation, hubs of talent and the engines driving our state’s economy.