The proposed redesign of Ker Park is pictured.
The proposed redesign of Ker Park is pictured.
Indiana will designate its 2016 Stellar Communities Aug. 18 at the state fair, and the City of Warsaw is one of three finalists vying for the honor.

To inform the local community about the proposed projects the city has in mind as part of the Stellar Community Program, and to gather input, Warsaw has created a Facebook page under “Warsaw + Winona Lake A Stellar Connection.”

Each week, the Facebook page will detail two of the proposals, which also will be published in the Times-Union.

The second highlighted project is the Ker neighborhood park.

If selected as a Stellar Community, Warsaw’s Stellar plan shows how the park will be expanded to include a 2- to 5-year-old playground, new shelter and a water feature.

Through citizen-focused planning and engagement, the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department has grown to be a prize of the community, according to information provided by the city.

One of the most valuable and unique resources of the parks system are the neighborhood parks. Ker Park gives local kids the opportunity to play in a social atmosphere without needing transportation by biking and walking to nearby activities. By growing these neighborhood parks, the city hopes to greatly improve the educational, physical and social benefits to residents.

The goals are to:

• Improve local quality of place and children's health with an improved neighborhood park.

• Build a new, accessible, neighborhood water feature for nearby children.

• Expand play options by building a playground targeted for 2- to 5-year-old children.

• Add a new picnic shelter.

• Renovate the existing playground.