Elected offices
Parks and Recreation
Hours: 6:00 AM
to 11:00 PM every day
Parks
Stauffer Park
West Park
South Park
Recovery Park
Nappanee Dog Park
Sports and nature areas
Derksen Farm
Callender Sportsplex
McCormick Creek Golf Course
Park department facilities and rules
Park hours are 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM each day. No alcohol is permitted in city parks.
Special events must be arranged through the parks department to guarantee facility availability. Call (574) 773-2112 to make a reservation.
West Park Pavilion may be rented throughout the year. The large room ($170 rental plus additional $85 deposit which can be refunded) has space for 200 guests. The meeting room ($85 rental fee with $40 refundable deposit) is available with seating for up to 64. Kitchen facilities are available with the rental of either room. Please read the city's policy prior to completing the rental application. Open-air Shelters are also available for rent at Stauffer Park.
Day Camps - Craft Camp is a summer day program for children ages 5 to 12. Each day of camp will feature a craft, story and activity. Camp will be held at West Park Pavilion from June 12th through August 9th; with classes at 1:00 PM for ages 5-8 and at 2:30 PM for ages 9-12. Camp will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pre-registration is appreciated.
Swimming — Lessons at the community pool run through the summer for children ages 3 and up, and the city's Mommy and Me class encourages development of water skills for children ages 6 months to 3 years.
Tennis — Instruction for beginners to advanced skill levels takes place throughout the summer at Stauffer Park for ages 6-14.
Golf — Nappanee's junior golf program takes place in the early summer at McCormick Creek. Golfers ages 6 to 14 are encouraged to attend one of the week-long sessions.
Baseball — The Napp City Baseball Program will be free for kids 6 to 12. The program at Stauffer Park is supervised and structured so children can learn fundamentals and play games.
Release of Liability form is required for all registrations and is due at the time of registration. Please see form.
Questions about any of the city's programs may be directed to parks director Wayne Scheumann by calling city hall at (574) 773-2112 or by email.
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Situated on 30 acres on Nappanee's east side, Stauffer Park offers incredible diversity in its activities — the community swimming pool, ball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts, a skate park, horseshoe pits, picnic facilities and the renowned Little Paws playground. Open-air shelters are available to rent also.
All facilities have nearby restrooms, and many of the areas are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Pool — From Memorial Day until about mid-August, the Nappanee pool is open from 12:30 to 5:00 PM Mondays through Saturdays and from 1:00 to 5:00 PM on Sundays, with an evening swim offered each day from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The parks department offers swimming lessons for children age 3 and up. Daily admission is $2.25 for youths and $2.50 for adults (residents living outside Nappanee will pay $0.25 more). Season passes are available, as well, and we encourage you to call and inquire about rental possibilities.
Little Paws —This community-built play area features climbing opportunities, swings and sandboxes for children up to age 12. The playground on the west side of Stauffer Park is open at all times during park hours.
Skate Park — Skateboarders are offered ramps and flat surfaces to work out tricks. The enclosed area is located near the tennis courts and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sunday noon to 7:00 PM.
Little Paws playground at Stauffer Park
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The 7-acre park on Nappanee Street features a ball diamond, open space, playground equipment and a picnic area. It's also home to the historic West Park Pavilion, which is available to rent for special events. More local history is located in front of the building; the bell originally used by fire department to signal the community about emergencies in the 1890s is on display.
West Park Pavilion on Nappanee Street
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The neighborhood park on Reed Street, about a block from Main, has 3 acres of mostly open space for ball games, frisbee and kite flying. An open-air shelter is available for picnickers to watch their kids on the small playground.
Playground at South Park
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Founded after the 2007 tornado, Recovery Park at Summit and Indiana streets is dedicated to the great community spirit shown after that terrible event. Bright and inviting play equipment will keep children busy, while an open-air shelter is available for people wanting to lunch in the park. Greenspace is inviting to kite fliers or those wanting to throw the football around.
Play equipment at Recovery Park
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This 7-acre nature preserve created in the early 1990s serves as a great area to watch wildlife, birds and butterflies. Trails take visitors to the marsh near the intersection of Woodview Drive and Oakland Avenue. Benches and a lookout shelter along the way provide observation areas. This protected area is serene and a perfect complement to the city parks system.
Marsh at the Derksen Wetlands
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Close to McCormick Creek Golf Course off Oakland Avenue, Callander Sportsplex features lighted softball diamonds, a concession stand, a sledding hill and an open-air pavilion.
The Sportsplex is also close to the newest recreation spot, the Nappanee Dog Park.
Softball diamonds at Callander Sportsplex
McCormick Creek Golf Course is a challenging, 18-hole layout measuring 6,344 yards. Located on North Oakland Avenue, it features water hazards on 13 of the holes. Affordable rates and a full-service clubhouse are among the other features of this municipal course, which is open daily from April through November. Call (574) 773-2725 or visit the course's website for more information.
