There is a new vehicle in town that’s coming to a park near you. The Parks and Recreation Department has a mobile recreation vehicle to deploy mobile play equipment and offer programming at a variety of events and locations including local parks, community events, festivals and more.
The vehicle, named “Creekstomper,” was previously part of the Zionsville Police Department’s fleet and served as a mobile forensics lab, and before that, a Zionsville Fire Department ambulance. The Town will once again see a return on its investment as the vehicle is transformed to serve the community in a new way.
Creekstomper features images of many of the attractions and amenities in Zionsville parks including cycling, sports, kayaking, Eagle Creek and wildlife. All summer long the mobile recreation vehicle will offer different programs and activities for the community to drop in and enjoy.
“With our department’s limited indoor spaces, we began dreaming of a mobile recreation program years ago,” said Parks Superintendent Jarod Logsdon. “This goal was brought front and center as the pandemic took hold and restrictions for indoor gatherings began. Our philosophy became, ‘if we can’t bring the community to our services, we will take our services to the community.’”
In 2020, the Parks Department conducted surveys to establish community priorities for the future of recreation facilities, programs and services in Zionsville. The department took that feedback and began prioritizing where to start. The first focus was recruiting new talent, expanding staff roles and preparing to provide new opportunities, including the mobile recreation vehicle.
“Moving into summer we will be promoting programming related to fitness, arts and culture, entertainment, hobbies and interests,” said Director of Recreation Services Mindy Murdock. “With the addition of this resource to our department, the sky is the limit in terms of the recreational programs and events we can bring to children, families and adults.”