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
Over the past eleven years the Friends of Garfield Park, Inc. has become a key community asset. Due to the strong partnerships and FOGP Board leadership, our list of accomplishments is as follows:
- In 2009 raised $125,000 in support consisting of $80,000 in cash contributions and $45,000 in kind. 1999 to 2009 combined totals amount to $1,660,500 and $574,300 in-kind, totaling overall, $2,186,800.
- Garfield Park Endowment Fund balance as of June 30, 2009 is $614,015.35 with $343,331.72 Wahl Trust total: $957,347.07.
- Supported programs and made grants to Garfield Park totaling approximately $30,000 in 2009 and over $560,000 since 2001. In 2009, 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, Children’s Garden at the Conservatory, Capital Support for the Arts Center and the Garfield Park Clean-up Day.
- Invested over $25,000 in Get 2 Garfield efforts including the production of America We Remember, Music in the Gardens, Music at the MAC, Creative Native and major Holiday event promotion.
- In August 2006 launched effort to rebuild the Bean Creek Bridge. In 2009, the bridge was dedicated with over $120,000 cash and in-kind support generated by the FOGP.
- As part of the Bean Creek Bridge project in 2009 the FOGP invested $6,500 for invasive restoration to Bean Creek and will continue through 2011.
- FOGP has been bequeathed a major portion of the estate of Lucille Wahl and Marie Shock an amount of approximately $600,000 to be administrated through a trust and gifts.
The FOGP is an integral part of the future of Garfield Park. 2010 looks to be a year of opportunity for all of us, the FOGP will continue to assist Indy Parks and Garfield Park staff to preserve the greatest park in America.
Please join with us and support the Friends of Garfield Park. Your contribution today will build for tomorrow. For information call: 317-840-8111.
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.
Mike Davis, Construction Consultant
Betty Foley, Retired-Neighborhood Leader
Andy Hohlt, Community 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
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
Lynda Burrello, Garfield Park Manager
DMB Marketing and Management
D. Mark Bowell, President
Dale Bowell, Executive Assistant
Bob Kizer, Project Manager
