The Board of Zoning Appeals has an open position. The council will review applications and make an appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals to complete a term through Dec.  31, 2020.

The Board of Zoning Appeals meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. To apply for the position, click here. If you have questions about this position, please contact the Planning office at 534.3600.

Thanks to the generosity of many individuals and organizations invested in the community, the Goshen Parks & Recreation Department has reached its goal of raising $50,000 for the construction of the city’s first-ever all-inclusive playground.

As of Wednesday, November 28, the department had raised nearly $70,000 through online crowd-funding platform Patronicity. The first $50,000 raised will be matched through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program.

“We are beyond thankful to the community for showing their commitment to having an inclusive park in which everyone can engage,” Parks & Recreation Department Superintendent Tanya Heyde said.

Though the goal has been reached — and surpassed — the Parks & Recreation Department will continue receiving donations until the campaign deadline of December 11. Anyone still wishing to donate is invited and encouraged to do so. Any additional funds will go into more features for the playground and Hay Park improvements.

“This project is truly a community endeavor,” Heyde said. “The support that has been received is remarkable, from financial contributions to volunteering, from sharing our story to serving on the design committee; the community has really embraced the inclusive playground.”

Funding also has been partially provided by the Kerry Finningan Rupright Foundation and the Community Foundation of Elkhart County.

For residents of all ages with mobility or developmental challenges and other disabilities, the playground will feature ramps, wider sidewalks and special equipment that will give them access to any part of the playground, including the highest points.

While all Goshen playgrounds meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, the new inclusive playground will add elements that encourage engagement among everyone on the space. Designs have been created and Hay Park, 1414 W. Plymouth Ave., was identified as the best location for the new playground.

Stay up to date on the Parks & Recreation Department’s campaign by visiting patronicity.com/goshenplayground, goshenindiana.org, or following the department on Facebook or Twitter.

The Street Department’s last leaf collection will begin the morning of Monday, December 3. Though the City understands the weather has not been ideal for raking leaves this season, this is residents’ last chance to get their leaves removed from their property by the Street Department this year!

Street Department crews making the rounds do not have a set schedule for what parts of the city they will go to and when, so residents are advised to pile their leaves on the curb by Sunday evening, December 2.

The National Weather Service predicts— as of Monday afternoon, November 26— that the chance of precipitation will increase over the weekend, so residents will need to plan ahead by checking their local weather forecast.

Residents who miss the last round of leaf pickup can still take their leaves to the Goshen Environmental Center, 20100 CR 19. Their hours in the winter are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Their number is 533-6200.

The center accepts brush and leaves, loose or in bags, at no charge to Goshen residents. However, if leaves are bagged, the bags must be emptied. There is a small fee for disposal of yard waste and grass clippings.

For more information on raking do’s and don’t see the Street Department’s website at goshenindiana.org/street-department.

Due to the Christmas holiday, the Board of Public Works & Safety and Stormwater has been rescheduled from Monday, December 24, to Friday, December 21.

Due to the New Year’s Eve holiday, the Board of Public Works & Safety and Stormwater meeting has been rescheduled from Monday, December 31, to Friday, December 28.

The meetings will be held at 11 a.m. in the Council Chambers, Police and Court Building, 111 E. Jefferson St.

Meetings will resume their regular schedule on Monday, January 7, at 2 p.m.