Village Board Updates VanRaden Memorial Park Hours for Public Safety
8/17/2025
At the August, 2025 meeting of the German Valley Village Board, board members unanimously decided to change the closing time of VanRaden Memorial Park and Lake Baalton from 10:30 PM to sundown, effective immediately.
This decision was made with the safety of the community in mind, following a serious concern raised by Officer Wendell McClain, German Valley’s police officer, during the meeting. Officer McClain shared the details of a tragic incident in a nearby community where a man drowned after fishing alone in the dark. As a member of the team that responded to the scene, Officer McClain emphasized the potential dangers of nighttime fishing, especially around unlit or uneven shorelines like those at Lake Baalton.
“The Village Board is responsible for ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors,” Officer McClain reminded the board. Even well-intentioned activities like fishing can become dangerous after dark.
In light of these concerns, the board determined that closing the park and lake at sundown will reduce the risk of accidents and help prevent similar tragedies in German Valley.
Residents and visitors are asked to respect the new park closing time and plan their visits accordingly.
The Village of German Valley thanks the community for its understanding and cooperation as we continue working together to keep our shared spaces safe and enjoyable for all.
Ben Miller Park’s closing time will remain at 10:30 p.m. Both parks open at sunrise.
Pictured above is VanRaden Memorial Park. Lake Baalton can be seen in the background.