Lafayette parks events will continue to sizzle even as summer cools down
Margaret Christopherson
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The end of summer doesn't mean events through Lafayette Parks and Recreation are slowing down. Multiple upcoming events were discussed at Monday's board meeting.
The next Free Day at Columbian Park will be Saturday, Sept. 4. The previous Free Day was held on July 5 in celebration of the grand opening of Memorial Island.
"We're really looking forward to that," Samantha Haville, Lafayette Parks and Recreation marketing manager, said. "We'll have free train rides, free pedal boat rides, free zoo admission, a free concert at 2 p.m. at the amphitheater and we'll also have some food trucks on site."
Boo at the Zoo will be making its return at Columbian Park Zoo as well this year.
"We set our dates for Boo at the Zoo," Neil Dale, director of the Columbian Park Zoo, said. "It's going to be Oct. 22 which is a Friday, from 4-7 p.m. and then Oct. 23 and 24, that's a Saturday and Sunday. It'll be two sessions per day, noon to 3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. So five total sessions, we tried to spread them across and give (visitors) some room."
Previous years' Boo at the Zoo events have included not-so-scary decorations and music, interactions with animals, scavenger hunts, costume contests, selfie stations and pre-packaged goodie bags to take home, according to its website. More information on activities and admission prices for 2021's event will be updated as it is announced.
Fish and aquatic plants will be making their way to the Columbian Park Lagoon in the late fall.
"The plants the DNR (Indiana Department of Natural Resources) will be harvesting from other locations and planting here will serve many purposes," Parks and Recreation superintendent Claudine Laufman said. "Not only do they add beauty to the Lagoon itself, but it will add coverage for the fish species that will be introduced."
Purdue and Lafayette Parks and Recreation are currently in talks about possibly working together in tagging the fish upon their arrival at the Lagoon.
"We have a long history of collaboration with Purdue," Laufman said. "Even during the pandemic, we've had opportunities to partner with Purdue students, so this is just another opportunity in which we can work together to really provide those students with experiential learning. And it certainly will be beneficial to us to gain their expertise."
Planned fish for the Columbian Park Lagoon include channel catfish, largemouth bass and verities of sunfish such as bluegill, according to Laufman.
Margaret Troup is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mtroup@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretTroup2