Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
Fabricator specialist Bryson Wagner, Jenny Landis of the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, Township Manager Kelly Shutes, and Mifflin County High School teacher Rebecca ConnerMiller gather to discuss the final stages of the Kish Park mini golf course.

LEWISTOWN — Members of the Kish Park mini golf course committee gathered at the course site this week to review final design plans and determine placement for themed fixtures ahead of the attraction’s anticipated opening later this spring.

Representatives from Derry Township, the Mifflin County School District, the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau and local community groups met at Kish Park to discuss final details for the project, which is expected to be completed by late May or early June.

Among those attending were Mifflin County High School teachers Sara Sutton and Rebecca ConnerMiller, Derry Township Manager Kelly Shutes, Park Manager Josh Garver, fabricator specialist Bryson Wagner, Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jenny Landis and DJ Walters of Troop 4.

Shutes said the on-site meeting allowed committee members to take measurements and better visualize where themed additions and decorative elements will be installed throughout the course.

Some fixtures required adjustments after construction of the course was completed, including relocating certain displays and resizing others to better fit designated holes.

“It all depends on how quickly my volunteers get them constructed,” Shutes said of whether all themed fixtures will be completed by opening day.

“We had to wait until the course was constructed until we could get good measurements for the themes and little extras we plan to add to the course to make it uniquely ours,” she added.

While some themed elements may still be under construction when the course opens, officials said the mini golf course itself will be fully playable.

Several holes will feature community-sponsored displays and interactive elements.

Hole No. 3, sponsored by the Yeagertown Fire Company, will include a playground-style fire truck modeled after the department’s “Blue Goose” fire truck, allowing children to climb on the structure while others play.

The Burnham Fire Company-sponsored first hole will feature a fire truck-themed photo opportunity where players can pose behind the display.

Hole No. 8, sponsored by Watson’s Optical and Dr. Spriggle, will include a bear with LED glasses designed by Mifflin County High School students. Golfers will putt the ball through the bear’s mouth.

Troop 4 is also constructing a Ferris wheel display that will feature sponsor names and logos from several smaller donors. Officials said the display’s final hole placement has not yet been determined.

The Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau will sponsor Hole No. 4, which will feature three geese as part of the display.

According to organizers, the mini golf course theme blends elements of Derry Township’s past and future while incorporating amusement park-style attractions and local community touches.

During a recent Derry Township supervisors meeting, officials approved admission pricing for the course. Adult admission will cost $8, while children ages 5 to 12 will pay $5. Children 5 and younger will be admitted free. Officials also approved a discounted rate for families of four or more.

Shutes said township officials recognized the importance of Kish Park to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was one of the few places you could go to be active and get out of your homes during that time,” Shutes said.

Following development of the Kish Park Master Plan, Shutes said township officials pursued grant funding opportunities to improve the park.

Initial grants funded construction of a new playground and renovations to restroom facilities, while also allowing the township to reserve a portion of its American Rescue Plan funding for future projects, including the mini golf course.

Additional funding for aesthetic portions of the course came through a community sponsorship campaign.

“The response to the sponsorship drive was above and beyond what we thought we would see and we are so grateful for the businesses and individuals that stepped up for their community,” Shutes said.

Shutes also discussed future plans for Kish Park, including a splash pad and welcome plaza project that is currently in the design phase.

The project is being funded through a combination of a Local Share Account grant, a DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grant, a DCED Greenways and Trailways Grant and private donations.

Construction on the splash pad and welcome plaza is expected to begin in late spring or summer 2027.