Monday, September 15, 2025
AUBURN, Ind. – A light rain shower didn’t dampen the spirits of those elected officials and members of the community who took part in Saturday’s Memorial Park Renovation Dedication.
The event officially reopened one of the city’s oldest parks after nearly a year of renovations that transformed the park. The $2.4 million project is one of the largest park renovation projects in city history.
The project was made possible thanks to a Hoosier Enduring Legacy Project (HELP) grant which was secured in 2023. The grant dollars along with a $1 million in American Rescue Plan dollars made the project possible.
On hand for Saturday’s dedication was local elected officials including Mayor Dave Clark, representatives from the Indiana Office of Rural and Community Affairs (OCRA), representatives from Northeastern Indiana Regional Coordinating Council and representatives from FCI Construction the general contractor for the project.
Phase 1 improvements to the park included nearly a mile of walking trails with exercise nods stationed along the trail. Six pickleball courts a refinished basketball court and renovated baseball field was also completed. The main part of the project included new restroom facilities and a pavilion along with a memorial stage.
The city plans for additional improvements to the park in the coming years.
Several sponsors made Saturday’s dedication ceremony possible including The Brown House, Auburn Main Street, Beacon Credit Union, Taylor Rental, Josh Ayres, FCI Construction, Classic City Signs, Crawford Excavating and Office of Community and Rural Affairs.