By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com
Eric Schoening is the new president of the Wabash Board of Parks and Recreation.
Schoening, whose appointed term on the Wabash City Council ended Dec. 31, was named to the board by Mayor Scott Long to replace Brian Campbell. Campbell asked not to serve any more on the panel.
Kerri Mattern was elected vice president and Bill Benysh was elected secretary.
The board also welcomed Rhonda Hipskind, who was appointed to the panel by the Wabash City Schools Board.
In another matter, the board approved rules and guidelines for the Friendship Hill, the city’s inclusive park.
Regulations include:
Park hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Prohibiting smoking, vaping or E-cigarettes within 50 feet of all playground equipment. Alcohol is also prohibited on park property.
Bikes, skateboards, scooters and similar items are prohibited on rubber surfacing, playground equipment and sidewalks except for the designated area of the skate park. Violators will be asked to leave.
The rules will be posted on a sign near the entrance to Friendship Hill.
Hall said he would like to eventually have the board consider the rules and guidelines for all of the city’s parks, tweaking them as needed based upon the park.