Valparaiso's longtime parks director will soon be stepping down. John Seibert has announced he plans to retire this summer, after 34 years with the city.
During that time, the city's developed a number of new parks, including ValPlayso, Fairgrounds Park and Central Park Plaza. Plans have also begun for the Flounder & Friends Skatepark, Adult Center for Enrichment and Valpo Sports & Recreation Campus.
The city says Seibert has brought regional and national recognition to the city. Last year, Valpo Parks was named an outstanding agency by the Indiana Park & Recreation Association. And Central Park Plaza was recognized as one of “America’s Great Public Spaces” by the American Planning Association in 2016.