MITCHELL – Residents from across Mitchell gathered at Mitchell City Park on Thursday, June 20 to celebrate new park upgrades and participate in a full day of family-friendly activities during the city’s Chat and Chill event, hosted by Mitchell Parks & Recreation.
In addition to the ribbon cutting, the event featured a variety of activities from morning to night, designed to engage residents of all ages, including:
- Food Trucks (11 AM – 7 PM): Visitors enjoyed meals and treats from popular local vendors, including 812 BBQ, Bubble Tea Barn, The Sno Shak LLC, and Blues Café.
- Youth Activities (4:30 PM – 7 PM): Children participated in basketball games and a 3-point contest held on the brand-new court, with prizes awarded in multiple age categories.
- Project Playground Kick-Off (5 PM—8 PM): Families stopped by the Park Shelter to learn about the city’s future Project Playground plans. Adults were invited to complete feedback surveys, while children joined craft activities.
- Night Swim (9 PM—11 PM): The day ended with a night swim at the Mitchell Community Pool, giving families a chance to cool off under the stars.
The Chat and Chill event was organized to highlight the city’s investments in recreational infrastructure and to create a space for public feedback on future improvements. Mitchell Parks & Recreation and the Greater Mitchell Chamber of Commerce emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between residents and local leadership in shaping community spaces.
“The Mitchell Community Foundation provided funding for the pickleball courts through the Mitchell Heritage Group and our unrestricted grant cycle provided the funding for the basketball courts.” stated Lisa Starr, the Financing Grants Officer for the Mitchell Community Foundation.
The success of the Chat and Chill event demonstrated strong community interest in both current park amenities and future development. Officials say more public events focused on park planning and youth recreation are expected in the coming months.
“We hold unrestricted endowments that different organizations throughout the community apply for annually and we do some great things, like the Chat and Chill event, for the community that way. We are just super happy and honored to play a part in this event.” added Starr.
Residents are encouraged to contact Mitchell Parks & Recreation for future updates or to get involved in Mitchell’s park initiatives.
