Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council to Install New Sand Volleyball Court

On Tuesday afternoon, the Jasper Park and Recreation Board assembled to hear updates on the many projects in progress throughout the city, as well as an exciting new addition planned for next year. 

Each year, about 20 high school students are selected to be part of the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council. In addition to other endeavors, the group creates a project that benefits the community. Council President Isabella Harmon said this year’s project will be installing a Sand Volleyball Court at Buehler Park. The Park Department has agreed to collaborate, which will provide valuable expertise and will also help to defray labor costs. 

Harmon said that sand volleyball courts are some of the most trafficked parks offerings and that league play has created a greater need for additional courts. The new courts, which are slated for completion in the Spring of 2025, will include an expanded perimeter and a foot washing station. The Council is still working on the development process with the Park Department, which helped to create the idea and develop a design. They hope to lower expenses by fundraising with local organizations, soliciting donations, and taking advantage of discounts available from local suppliers. Current estimates are between ten to fifteen thousand dollars. The board granted their approval for the project and expressed their enthusiastic support for the Youth Council’s efforts. 

The Tourism Report showed steady numbers at the Mill, and two Letters for Santa events this month. Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus followed by story time was held last Saturday. There were 251 people in attendance over 2 hours, even prompting the department to make an emergency cookie run! The train schedule dates for 2025 have been approved, although they won’t go live until the ticketing website comes online sometime in February or March. The Spirit of Jasper will be running for 2 Bombers games and some new family quick trips. These will be scheduled for summer dates when there are tournaments in town, and will run throughout the day like Strassenfest with $10 tickets that can be purchased online or at the station. 

Parks Director Tom Moorman provided a recap of some events from 2024. Some of the many successful events included the annual tree giveaway, breakfast and lunch with the JPD and JFD, and the many events surrounding the solar eclipse in April. The Mill deck was repaired, landscaping was updated, and the bridge was repaired. Basketball goal replacements were completed at Church and Bohnert Parks, and the ribbon cutting welcomed visitors to Buehler Park. Concrete cornhole boards were installed at Dave Buehler Plaza, and a cornhole league has been playing there. The driving range held its own ribbon cutting in April, and Back 9 improvements were completed at Buffalo Trace. The controlled burn at the Parklands was successfully implemented, the Habig Center’s parking addition was finished, and new scoreboards were installed at the Youth Sports Complex.  

Moorman also gave a short presentation and update on the Municipal Pool construction project. All of the concrete work is done, and all buildings are now under a roof. Construction is continuing right on schedule and will be completed sometime in April. 

In other updates, the Board approved the addition of an LED kit to plans for the proposed fountain at the Parklands, putting it just over $5800. A change order was approved for asphalt expenses at Buehler Park, and claims were approved for various general maintenance items at multiple parks and rec locations. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit jasperindiana.gov or JasperGov-Indiana on Facebook. 

 - By Drew Hasselbring