Parks department to launch steering committee

The Rochester Park and Recreation Department is launching a steering committee to guide enhancements at the city's parks and pool. 

The committee comes on the heels of an agreement to develop strategic plans for the next five years. The project kicks off at the Rochester Park Board's meeting at noon Wednesday, June 26, at Rochester City Hall, 320 Main St.

Subsequent meetings of the committee are scheduled for mid-July, early September, early December and mid-March. 

Public involvement is to include an online survey, running through July and August, and an in-person event at the 4th annual Nickel Plate Trail Festival, Aug. 31 in downtown Rochester.

Those interested in joining the steering committee are encouraged to email rochesterparkandrecreation@gmail.com.

In other park news, Fun & Fit in Fulton County, a passport program sponsored by Purdue Extension, is underway and rewards those who visit the parks ahead of this year's Fulton County 4-H Fair — the second week of July.

Participants will record park visits in passports, post pictures and bring completed passports to the fair to collect prize packs. Booth hours are 4-8 p.m. July 8-11. 

Everyone is invited to post pictures, stories and comments using the hashtag #fun&fitfulton24 on Facebook. Those who post at least five pictures will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize. 

Passports are available through the Rochester Park & Recreation Facebook page. Challenges include visiting the playground at Fansler Park, climbing Manitou Mountain at Rochester City Park, having a picnic at Germany Bridge Park, counting birds at Newcastle Township Park and swings at Grass Creek Park, playing pickleball at Pike Memorial Park and walking the Woodlawn Hospital trail and around the pond at Prairie Edge Nature Park. 

Participants also are encouraged to visit Richland Restoration Nature Park and Fulton County Bark Park, Cutshall Park, Lakeside Park, Jaycee Park, Leiters Ford StoryWalk, Kewanna-Union Township Park and Liberty Township Park.