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The free Neighborhoods Pool Party Tuesday at Tuhey Park made quite a splash with families!

The event was hosted by Muncie Action Plan, with help from Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement, Shafer Leadership Academy, Woof Boom Radio, and the City of Muncie. 

When they weren’t in the pool, partygoers played yard games and “Muncie Bingo,” and enjoyed pizza, beverages, and popsicles. Kids received some cool summertime swag – beach balls and bubbles. 

Prizes for the bingo winners included Minnetrista memberships, Holiday World passes, WLBC totes, and more! And parents and caregivers received the gift of very sleepy kiddos after a high-energy evening.

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Halteman Neighborhood Spotlight

Photo of park sign

The expansion of Halteman Park into a Multi-generational Recreational Space project has reached Phase Two. The work will continue to serve as a model for other placemaking endeavors around the city. Click here to learn more about Phase One and how to get involved with Phase Two.

Photo of JP Hall provided by MAP

J.P. Hall, BSU Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation and Associate Chair, recently received the 2023 David Sursa Leadership Award for the impact on Halteman Village and the Muncie community as a whole. 

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Need something to do in August? Check out a BSU event!

Nervous about visiting campus? Take a look at the Office of Community Engagement’s handy Getting to Campus resource for parking/public transit information!

Click the links for more information. Some events may be off-campus or have registration requirements.

Friday, August 4, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: He Built This City: The Muncie Architecture of Cuno Kibele – 10 a.m.

Monday, August 14, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Dementia Friends – 2 p.m. at Westminister Village

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Cold Case Muncie – 6:30 p.m. at EB Ball

Thursday, August 17, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Sherlock Holmes and the Beginning of Modern Forensics – 6:30 p.m.

Friday, August 18, 2023

Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Rinard Orchid Greenhouse & Nature Lab: Weeks of Welcome Program – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Summer Skies Live” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Monday, August 21, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: Presidential Mothers – 2 p.m. at Westminister Village

Thursday, August 24, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: America’s Hometown Band – 7 p.m.

Friday, August 25, 2023

Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show – 3:30 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “Summer Skies Live” Planetarium Show – 5 p.m.
Charles W. Brown Planetarium: “We Are Stars” Planetarium Show – 6:30 p.m.

Monday, August 28, 2023

EB & Bertha C. Ball Center: A Feeling of Justice: Mapping Civil Rights History in Indiana – 6 p.m.

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Partial Solar Eclipse Community Block Party – Volunteers and Booths needed!

mostly black photo with the beginning of an eclipse centered in the frame

event information written by Dayna Thompson, Director of the Charles W. Brown Planetarium

When: Saturday: Oct. 14, from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Who: Everyone is invited!
Cost: FREE! (suggested cash donation of $5 accepted at registration table)
Where: The Quad at Ball State University (bordered by North Quad, the Fine Arts Building, and the Cooper Science Complex) & the Charles W. Brown Planetarium 
(inclement weather location: Fine Arts Building Recital Hall)

Experience the partial solar eclipse at Ball State University’s Community Block Party as you partake in hands-on science and art activities, and observe the sky safely during the day with telescopes and free solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last). Join us out in nature as we come together during this celebration that includes a bounce house, family activities, music, and more!

Sign up to host a station at the event with your unit or organization, OR
sign up to work a volunteer shift at the event by Friday, September 30.

This event is planned during the annular solar eclipse visible by only a small fraction of the world (weather permitting, with proper eye protection). While we will not see the full annular event at Ball State, we have the chance to see a partial solar eclipse. The partial solar eclipse begins at 11:41 a.m., and the Moon will continue to block out more of the Sun until maximum occurs at 1:03 p.m. The partial solar eclipse will then end at 2:28 p.m.

This will be a great experience to help get us excited for the Total Solar Eclipse coming to Muncie on April 8, 2024—an amazing and rare opportunity for our community!

ACTIVTIES & PROGRAMS

  • Free Ball State solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last)
  • Hands-on science and art activities and stations
  • Boot Camp Challenge Inflatable Obstacle Course, crewed by Ball State’s ROTC
  • Solar telescopes (weather permitting)
  • Live-streaming of the eclipse from the path of annularity
  • Planetarium Shows (11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm)
  • Information about the Total Solar Eclipse coming to Muncie on April 8, 2024

Remember, you need proper eye protection to safely watch solar eclipses. Learn more about this solar eclipse and others online at www.bsu.edu/planetarium/eclipse-2024.

This event is made possible by the Charles W. Brown Planetarium and the Office of Community Engagement at Ball State University, with partial support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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J.P. Hall, HVNA President receives David Sursa Leadership Award

JP Hall speaking about the Halteman project at the 2023 IDEA Conference

J.P. Hall received the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County’s 2023 David Sursa Leadership Award for his dedicated service to Halteman Village Neighborhood Association. Hall was instrumental in reorganizing the Halteman Village Neighborhood Association into a 501c3 nonprofit in an effort to turn the former private community pool into a public park. He was nominated by the neighborhood association for his work to improve the park, but also for his service to the Muncie Community as a whole. When plans to demolish the neighborhood’s recently closed elementary school were announced, Hall led the neighborhood’s “Kids not Condos” campaign that saw that building ultimately saved and turned into Mitchell Early Childhood and Family Resource Center. To read more about Hall’s work in the community please visit the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County’s award announcement.

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Halteman Village Celebrates Park Improvements

Photo of park sign

Halteman Village Neighborhood Association held their first park party Saturday, July 1st, and it was a huge success! Around 300 folks attended to celebrate the transformation of Halteman Park. To date, HVNA has raised over $112,000 towards park improvements that include new playground equipment, pavilion, and landscaping. The neighborhood association recently launched another campaign to raise funds to implement recreational and wellness opportunities for adults and seniors in the community. To learn more about past improvements and current goals as well as how you can make a donation, please visit:  https://www.patronicity.com/project/halteman_park_phase_two#!/