| Our Mission |
The mission of the Porter County Parks and Recreation Board and Department is to preserve, protect and manage the natural, cultural and recreational resources within a diverse park system.
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| Public Meeting Notice | |
The Porter County Board of Parks and Recreation will convene for its next monthly meeting on Thursday, August 4, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners Chambers at the Porter County Government Building, 155 Indiana Ave., in Valparaiso. |
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We can't believe it, but summer will soon be coming to end. And what a great season it has been for Porter County Parks and Recreation!
Our summer camp program, Camp FUNset, more than doubled in size from last year and the kids had a ton of fun! Our goats got a new home - a spacious, shaded shelter that they have settled into nicely. Our adult wellness and education programs at Sunset Hill Farm County Park and Brincka Cross Gardens have been very successful and even more will be offered in the coming months.
It is safe to say we have been very busy! Find all the details below, and then come out and experience our parks and programs for yourself!
Please contact us with any feedback. Thanks for being a part of our community! |
| Sunset Hill Farm ready for field trip season | | |
Students learn to appreciate nature and parks  We are hard at work preparing for the school year and the many field trips that will begin at the end of this month. Teachers are encouraged to schedule field trips to Sunset Hill Farm County Park as soon as possible.
These field trips are available for kindergarten through sixth grade classes, covering a wide range of topics and satisfying a number of academic standards. Some of the topics include studying the ponds and weather at the park, investigating animals, plants and soil, and learning about the history of Sunset Hill Farm.
For more information, or to schedule a field trip, contact Katie Rizer at 219-465-5192 or krizer@porterco.org. Teachers can also expect to receive a guide to our field trip and parks to schools programs in the coming weeks. |
| Camp FUNset a huge success | | |
Campers learn about nature, art, film and more!
There was a lot going on at Sunset Hill Farm during the past two months. That's because each week, more than 60 kids were at the park to learn, laugh, make friends and enjoy nature at Camp FUNset! Our diverse range of camps included themes like making a movie, creating art, learning about nature, and playing games and sports.
We are happy to say that Camp FUNset was very successful this year, and we are looking forward to doing it again next summer, with even more innovative ideas and improvements! A special thanks to our exceptional staff and dedicated camp counselors, who made this summer one that many kids will never forget!
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| Meditation Writers Retreat at Brincka Cross Gardens | | |
Come enjoy the benefits of meditation
 This retreat offers an opportunity for an afternoon of reflection that includes a guided walk, seated meditation, gentle yoga, stretching and reflective writing. The program will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 21 at Brincka Cross Gardens, 427 E. Furness Road in Pine Township. The cost is $20 and class size is limited.
This retreat will be led by Cynthia Smith, an experienced meditation guide, certified yoga instructor, seasoned writer and nature lover. Participants should bring a yoga mat, towel or blanket to sit on, and dress for the possibility of being outside. No perfume or scented lotion should be worn.
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| September Gardening Days at Brincka Cross Gardens | |
Enjoy your hobby in a unique setting
 Do you love to garden? Are you looking for a unique place to practice your passion? Then Brincka Cross Gardens is the place for you! Bring your favorite gloves and and join us in cleaning up the gardens within the property.
This is a great way to fulfill service hours, or simply do what you love in a beautiful setting. Wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes and extra gloves will be available. These Gardening Days will take place on Fridays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Brincka Cross Gardens is located at 427 E. Furness Road in Pine Township. For more information, contact Recreation Supervisor Gayle O'Connor at 219-548-0219 or goconnor@porterco.org.
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Painting lessons available at Sunset Hill Farm | | |
All skill levels welcome
 Porter County Parks and Recreation is dedicated to fostering the work of experienced and beginning artists alike. Sunset Hill Farm County Park, with its striking landscapes and scenes of natural beauty, is the perfect place to find inspiration.
Instructor Shirley Massey, OSCI, is leading an ongoing open studio for all skill levels on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The classes take place at the Sunset Hill Farm County Park Interpretive Center. Artists are provided with acrylic paint, space and guidance. The cost for this class is $10 if a painting surface is provided by the instructor, or $5 if the artist brings his or her own surface. Those who are interested are welcome to sit in on one class free of charge to see if it is a fit.
For more information, contact Shirley Massey at 219-465-3586, or 219-252-9156, or via e-mail at smassey@porterco.org. |
| Writing Workshop at Brincka Cross Gardens | |
Nurture, heal and inspire
Come write in a beautiful setting where writers are safe, supported and stimulated. Using the Amherst Writers and Artists method, and guided by a trained workshop leader, participants will write together, then share and respond gently to new work.
This workshop will take place at Brincka Cross Gardens, 427 East Furness Road in Pine Township. Porter County Parks and Recreation is teaming up with the Lubeznik Center for the Arts to offer this program. Sessions take place during four Mondays from September 26 to October 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $80 and includes all four classes. Space is limited. Participants should bring paper and pen. To register, contact the Lubeznik Center for the Arts at 219-874-4900 or e-mail jbloch@lubeznikcenter.org.
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| Sponsor Spotlight - ValpoLife and PortageLife | | |
During the past few years, there has been a lot of Life in Valpo and Portage.
ValpoLife and PortageLife started with the idea that businesses, nonprofit organizations and the community as a whole needed an outlet for all the good news happening in their neighborhoods and towns. And Porter County Parks and Recreation uses these Web sites constantly as a way to keep the public informed about our parks and programs.
Chris Mahlmann, Business Editor and Publisher of ValpoLife, PortageLife and NWIndianaLife, called Porter County Parks and Recreation "a 100 percent natural partner."
"So many good activities at such a great natural asset for the region, connected by a common sense of community and enjoying friends and family outdoors. What is not to like about that?" Mahlmann said. "Plus, the Parks team has been supporting us just as we are supporting them."
Mahlmann added that as sense of community is the cornerstone of his company.
"Our entire LIFE is built around the community," he said. "It's why we exist. Communicating what is good going on all around us, whether that be in the area of business, sports, entertainment, health or any facet of the communities we serve. It's what we wake up to every day."
More than 1,000 contributors are a part of the LIFE Web sites, and more are being added all the time. To become a contributor, e-mail contribute@valpolife.com or call 219-707-5023.
"If you are associated with a school, team or church, event, business, non-profit organization, or just have a positive story to share, we want to hear from you," Mahlmann said.
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| Outdoor yoga at Sunset Hill Farm County Park | |
Classes available through October 25
Porter County Parks and Recreation is offering an outdoor yoga class at Sunset Hill Farm County Park every Tuesday from September 6 to October 25 at 5 p.m. There is plenty of room for people interested in getting in shape. The cost for the entire eight-week session is $35, or $5 for a drop-in session. This class, led by yoga instructor Tammy Zack, will blend an Iyengar practice with concentrated core work added to align the body, improving overall health. All levels are welcome and no prior experience is necessary.
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| Wellness Retreat at Brincka Cross Gardens | | |
Let go of the outside world
 A Wellness Retreat will be offered at Brincka Cross Gardens, 427 E. Furness Road in Pine Township on Sunday, September 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Draw inward to discover your deeper rhythm. Give yourself the gift of time, space and quiet. In this beautiful home and garden setting you are transported to a different world.
Enjoy the day with gentle yoga stretching and guided meditation. A healthy lunch and tea is provided and you will have time for reflective journal writing. Please bring a yoga mat, small cushion for sitting, a small blanket and water. There will be a restorative yoga practice, so participants are welcome to bring additional items for support. The cost for this program is $40.
Other relaxing programs that will be offered at Brincka Cross Gardens in September include a mandala art class that will include meditation on September 17 from 10 a.m. to noon, and a sand painting class on September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.
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| Find us on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and more! | | |
Social media is a great way to stay in touch
Have you liked us on Facebook? 
Followed us on Twitter? 
Subscribed to our YouTube channel? 
Checked us out on Flickr? 
Read our blog? 
We have been using social media to stay in touch and keep people informed of all our outstanding programs and beautiful properties. Make sure to connect with us through the links above (or along the information bar to the left). Our social media sites are updated daily, so it guarantees you will never miss a thing! |
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Thank you for your continued support of Porter County Parks and Recreation. We are committed to delivering youth, adult and school programs to the residents of Porter County, while also providing a gateway into the natural beauty of our area through its unique parks and trails.
Please take advantage of our many offerings and share this information with your friends and family.
Sincerely,
Matt Pera
Communications Director
Porter County Parks and Recreation |
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