The Valpo Parks Tower Park renovation project began this spring with a series of unique leadership gifts. These generous gifts, in conjunction with dedicated public funds, have initially raised $450,000 for construction of the local park’s signature facilities. The total cost for the Tower Park renovation is projected to be $700,000; $200,000 for the ball courts and $500,000 for the multipurpose field.
The Valpo Parks Foundation is spearheading the campaign to raise the remaining funds to upgrade the park located at the corner of Franklin and Evans Streets. “The goal of our ‘Leaders Giving Back’ campaign for Tower Parks is to raise an additional $100,000 for the courts by the end of the year and an additional $150,000 by June 1, 2017,” said John Seibert, director of Valparaiso Parks Department.
“We are grateful for the initial leadership gifts that really jump started the Tower Park project,” said Seibert. MLB pitcher Jeff Samardzija and the Samardzija family donated a leadership gift to renovate the Tower Park baseball field into a state of the art multi-use youth sports field. In addition, Brian Cardinal and the Purdue Community Hoops Program and a group of Valparaiso High School outstanding alumni and families including Bryce Drew, Dana Drew Shaw and Scott Drew, Robbie Hummel, Rob Cavanaugh and the friends of Tim Bishop who have contributed to two signature basketball courts.
The “Leaders Giving Back” campaign for Tower Park is being chaired by Dr. Jerry Rodenbarger, Vale Park Animal Hospital and Dr. Rob Behrend, Valparaiso Family. Other members of the campaign task force are Steve Lunn, Porter Regional Hospital System, George Douglas, Indiana Beverage, Martin Sonnenberg, Task Force Tips, Matt Vessely, 1st Source Bank, Tim VerSchure, Lakeside Wealth Management, Mark Ritzi, Horizon Bank, Jim McCall, Valparaiso Community Schools and Sam Samardzija, Samardzija Sports Management.
“We are now inviting members of the community to join the ‘Leaders Giving Back’ campaign,” said Dr. Behrend. “We hope that our community will join these leaders in supporting the completion of this project and demonstrate, once again, Valparaiso’s generous spirit and vision to future generations,” added Dr. Rodenbarger.
Gifts of $1000, $2500 and $5000 levels will be recognized on community recognition plaques to be constructed at Tower Park similar to the VALPALYSO project. Gifts of $10,000 or more will be recognized on a customized basis.
VHS alumni, Purdue Alumni, community-spirited individuals and businesses who are interested in finding out more about the "Leaders Giving Back" Campaign can contact Dr. Rodenbarger, Dr. Behrend, John Seibert or Donna Hannah through the Valpo Parks at (219) 462-5144 or www.valpoparks.org.