ELKHART, Ind. -- The City of Elkhart Parks and Recreation invites the public to celebrate the newly completed playground at Gans Park on Thursday, from 4 to 6 p.m. The event will feature free hot dog meals and ice cream for the first 100 attendees, family-friendly activities, and a dedication ceremony at 5 p.m.

Gans Park was originally deeded to the City of Elkhart in 1965 by C.E. Gans, with park development beginning in the fall of 1969. Nearly 60 years later, the new playground will provide recreational space that Parks and Recreations says is much needed for neighborhood families and visitors.

“Gans Park improvements are exciting because they allow for the neighborhood to come play and relax in a safe area, while also encouraging use from visitors because of its proximity to our beautiful River Greenway Trail,” said Jamison Czarnecki, Superintendent of Elkhart Parks & Recreation. “We know that these green spaces are more than just grass; they are essential community spaces that support our city from being a good place to being a great place to live." According to Czarnecki, for every $1 invested in parks is a $4 benefit when measuring the economic impact of parks investments.

The new Gans Park playground is part of a citywide effort to reinvest in Elkhart's neighborhood parks, with this being one of six newly built or upgraded playgrounds across the city. The City of Elkhart Parks and Recreation was awarded the Community Champions GameTime Grant to make the renovations possible.

The dedication at Gans Park is free and open to the public at 1498 Folsom Street. In addition, several City departments will be on-site with information and resources for residents.