Garfield ParkFriends of Garfield Park

The mission of FOGP is to ensure the preservation and continuation of the public benefits of Garfield Park through enhanced funding, the application of effective advocacy and expanded stewardship.

Conceived by Community Leaders…

The Friends of Garfield Park, Inc. was conceived by concerned business-minded individuals, supported by Indy Parks and Recreation. After incorporating on November 19, 1998, The Friends began developing a model for supplemental financial support for Garfield Park. An endowment, supported by the Indianapolis Foundation was created in order to ensure that resources would be available to maintain the investments made in the park for many years to come. The Friends of Garfield Park will continue to assist Indy Parks and Garfield Park long into the future to preserve the greatest park in America!

FOGP Activities and Accomplishments

  • Ensures the proper operation and maintenance of the Sunken Gardens and Fountains.
  • Underwrites technical expertise required for the fountains (ongoing)
  • Funds personnel costs for extended hours of operation. (ongoing)
  • Supported National Park Service Historic Landscape Initiative Conference (2005)
  • Coordinated development of the Cultural Landscape and Preservation Plan (2004)
  • Awards thousands of dollars in grants annually to Garfield Park for sports and recreation for underprivileged neighborhood children. Programs include:
    • Start Smart Coaching/Sportsmanship Youth Program (since 2003)
    • Garfield Swim Team Scholarships (since 2003)
    • Garfield Junior Basketball (since 2005)
    • Youth Night at Victory Field (2005)
    • Garfield Night at the Indiana Pacers (2005)
    • Garfield Park Recreational Equipment (2006)
    • Youth Night at Victory Field (2006)
    • Sunken Gardens and MacAllister Center fence painting (2006)
    • People Helping People and Park Communications (2006)
  • Raises financial support from corporate and community partners to supplement the FOGP budget, funds free public events and sponsors youth programs at the park. Success includes the following elements:
    • In 2007 raised $170,000 in support consisting of $118,000 in cash contributions and $52,000 in kind. 1999 to 2006 combined totals amount to $1,290,500 cash and $469,300 in-kind, totaling overall, $1,759,800.
    • Garfield Park Endowment Fund balance as of June 30, 2007 is $960,000 with $400,000 Wahl Trust total: $1,360,000
    • Supported programs and made grants to Garfield Park totaling approximately $70,000 in 2007 and nearly $350,000 since 2001
    • In 2007, investments included:
      • Providing extended hours for the Sunken Gardens, Garfield Swim Team Scholarships, Sunken Garden maintenance support, Garfield Park recreational equipment, Garfield Junior Basketball support, Youth Night at Victory Field, new park flag pole, Gateway Business Alliance, People Helping People and Miracle Mile Parade.
      • Invested over $40,000 in Get 2 Garfield efforts including the production of America We Remember, Music in the Gardens and major Holiday event promotion.
      • In January 2006 FOGP committed to sponsoring the inaugural event of the new Garfield Park Arts Center. The “Creative Native Art Competition” was opened to local artists who came to create original art celebrating community, diversity and Garfield Park. The tradition continues through “Creative Native 2008.” In total, the FOGP has invested nearly $15,000 in support of these programs.
      • In August 2006 launched effort to rebuild the Bean Creek Bridge. This $100,000 effort has generated $85,000 through the Friends efforts and will be completed in 2008.
      • As part of the Bean Creek Bridge project the FOGP launched the “Bricks for the Bridge” effort. To date, the Friends have sold 68 commemorative bricks.
      • In 2007, created new Park and FOGP promotional brochure
      • In 2004 worked with Indy Parks to complete work on the Garfield Park Cultural Landscape Review. Total FOGP investment: $70,000.
      • In 2003 were bequeathed a major portion of the estate of Lucille Wahl an amount of approximately $400,000 to be administrated through a trust.
    • Supports several community events in the park each year. Because of corporate and community partners, most events are free to the public.

Friends for the Future….The Cultural Landscape Plan

FOGP develops plans for the Future….The Cultural Landscape Plan

To preserve the future of the park FOGP championed the creation of the Garfield Park Cultural Landscape Preservation and Renewal Plan. Created in 2004 and 2005, The Cultural Landscape Plan was funded through grants of $25,000 from the Efroymson Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, $5000 from Marion County Historic Preservation Fund and $22,500 each from Friends of Garfield Park and Indy Parks.

This project, which celebrates the concepts and designs of George Kessler, was guided to completion by Patricia O’Donnell, ASLA of Heritage Landscapes, which specializes in preservation planning and implementation for cultural landscapes. The plan will serve as a guide to future development and programs at the park such as:

  • Educational materials, in the form of electronic media programs about Garfield Park’s history for visitors
  • Fundraising campaigns
  • Efforts leading to the designation on the National Registry of Historic Places
  • Landscape renovations and restoration, including tree plantings, streets, pathways, and other elements

FOGP Organization Structure

The FOGP is a 501(c)3, incorporated on November 19, 1998. It has a volunteer board of directors and DMB Marketing and Management provides administrative, organizational development and promotional services.

Volunteer Board Members

FOGP President - George Seybert, President, Tube Processing Corp.

FOGP Vice President - Jeff Cardwell, President, Cardwell Do-it-Best

FOGP Secretary - Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, President, JEMstone Communications

FOGP Treasurer - Dick Hornberger, Retired, Bank One

Ken Boyce, Senior Associate, Ratio Architects, Inc.
Glenna Davis, President, Midwest Concrete Pumping, Inc.
Betty Foley, Retired-Neighborhood Leader
Diana Wilson Hall, Owner, Classic Realty, Inc.
Mike Rogers, Community Leader
Mark Van Auken, Vice President, National Bank of Indianapolis
Greg Gault, Executive Vice President, Indana Business Bank
Erich Wild, Community Leader
Parks Pifer, Horticultural Consultant

 

Honorary Board

P.E. MacAllister, MacAllister Machinery
Phil Bayt, Attorney, Ice Miller
Marjorie Nackenhorst, Community Leader
David Sease, Sease, Gerig & Associates

Advisors

Joe Wynns, Director, Indy Parks & Recreation
Lynda Burrello, Garfield Park Manager

DMB Marketing and Management

D. Mark Bowell, President
 Dale Bowell, Executive Assistant
 Bob Kizer, Project Manager