| Friends of Carroll County Parks |
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By-laws and articles of incorporation have been approved, and the application for not-for-profit 501(c)(3) status was approved in February 2010. A board of directors and officers have been elected. The annual meeting is held each year in April for the election of directors.
 Volunteers have worked directly with the Parks Board in a number of projects since 2008. Several clean-up days were held at both parks. Weeds were pulled, cut, and sprayed. Trees were trimmed and downed limbs were removed and cut up for firewood. Flower donations were solicited and planted. Broken playground equipment and fencing were removed and recycled. Swings and other playground equipment were painted with donated paint. Electrical and other repairs were made. The Deer Creek clubhouse was cleaned and all the picnic shelters were cleaned and repaired. In March 2008 the Eel River Tribe and Massassagans held a drumming event at Deer Creek Park. The Friends benefited and helped by selling food and T-shirts to numerous visitors. About 60 people participated in the event which was part of 8000 Drums Across the World. This event was held to bring awareness of the depletion of natural resources, the disappearance of open spaces, and cultural unity. The Friends operated a booth during the 2008 4-H Fair to recruit members and to raise awareness about the parks. Raffle tickets were sold and many donated items were raffled. Carroll County Parks T-shirts were also sold. An exhibit at the Burlington Fall Festival in 2009 and at the Carroll County Garden Show in 2010 helped served to raise awareness. In September 2008, the Friends sponsored the Party at the Park at Deer Creek Park. In spite of some weather challenges, the Burlington Kiwanis provided and cooked donated tenderloins and porkburgers, and lunches and snacks were sold by Friends to many visitors. The Flora Lions Club brought their soft-serve ice cream machine--to everyone’s delight--and donated the receipts to the Friends. The Camden-Jackson Township Fire Department demonstrated the Jaws of Life. A Bike-A-Thon, conducted by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and fishing tournament were among the kids’ activities. One of the problems with use of the parks has been public awareness. At Deer Creek Park, the pond and campground can’t be seen from the road, so the facilities are not well known. A major project has been to raise funds for a large new sign for Deer Creek Park. That was accomplished, and the signs have been installed. A directional sign from SR 29 was made and donated by Mary and Jack Hammel. In 2008 and 2009, the Eel River Tribe used French Post Park as the launch site for their Canoe-A-Thon or Sinipiongi which they hold each year to raise money for Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. In 2009 the Friends and Parks Board fenced off a large area at French Post Park and built ten fire rings to provide sites for ten primitive tent camping spots. In 2009 200 trees were planted and numerous electrical upgrades were made throughout Deer Creek Park. Playground equipment was painted and primitive campsites developed at in a newly-fenced area at French Post Park. The Delphi Lions Club and Bill Maxwell donated five new picnic tables to the Parks. In 2010, 300 more trees were planted at Deer Creek Park. The Friends have been very grateful to Carroll County Focus on the Future for their support in helping support the formation of the organization and to Carroll County REMC Operation Round-Up for a grant used for electrical upgrades at Deer Creek Park. In 2009, the Friends of Carroll County Parks and the Parks Board were honored by the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation and the Carroll Chamber of Commerce with a Community Enhancement Award for their upgrades to the county parks.
Donations of money, materials, raffle items, labor, and other support have come from the following: Alco Bassett and Talbert-Citgo-Blimpies Brown’s Tire Service Burlington Kiwanis Camden-Jackson Township Fire Department Campers at Deer Creek Park Carroll County Focus on the Future Carroll County REMC Operation Round-Up Carroll County Sheriff’s Department Creative Promotions Delphi Chamber of Commerce Delphi Hardware and Paint Delphi Dairy Queen Delphi Lions Club and Bill Maxwell Eel River Tribe Flora Lions Club Griffins Auto Service Jerry’s Barber and Style Shop Lesh Advertising Main Street Pizza King Pearsons of Delphi Jeff Watson
Bill Maxwell
Travis Lovvorn Jason Lowry Mary & Jack Hammel Bill & Judy Schock Friends of Carroll County Parks Membership information: Student members: A student member is any individual who is 18 and under and engaged in learning through a public, private, or home school setting. $5.00 Individual members: An individual member is any individual who is interested in joining the Friends of Carroll County Parks. $10.00 Family members: Family members consist of all members of a specific family. $20.00 Life members: Life members consist of all members who make a life-time contribution in the amount of $500 (with the option to be paid over 5 years.) Friends of Carroll County Parks, Board of Directors: Al Auffart, president Dale Snipes, vice president Bonnie Maxwell, secretary Mary Ann Burton, treasurer Judy Berkshire Sue Buttice Karen Hylton
Joe O"Donnell Carla Shaeffer
Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. Preserving our parks for future generations!
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