TERRE HAUTE —
Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett hopes the establishment of a tax-deductible municipal park foundation will enable people to donate or bequeath money to support improvement projects in city parks and also cover maintenance expenses.
“We’re working to set up a foundation for the entire park system that would help take care of those park assets,” Bennett said.
The idea is to collect private funds to help complete current and future park projects. Current projects include the renovation of the Chauncey Rose Memorial Plaza in Fairbanks Park. Bricks in the plaza are crumbling, and a roof over six large pillars needs to be replaced.
The plaza contains history about one of Terre Haute’s greatest philanthropists who, among other things, established an orphans home that was home to 3,000 children from 1884 until its demolition in 1950. He also gave $345,614 in 1875 to establish Rose Polytechnic Institute, now Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, on Terre Haute’s east side.
Chauncey Rose was born in December 1794 and died in August 1877.
Another project is to rebuild a covered seating area for the Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park. The pavilion, which once provided covered shelter for more than 200 people, was demolished by the city park department in 2002 because of structural concerns.
“That needs to be rebuilt. It was a large covered area and it used to host events there, but it is all open now,” Bennett said.
The pavilion, built in 1970, had a covered seating area of about 3,000 square feet, excluding a stage and restrooms. The covered stage remains standing in the park.
In 2005, a Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology senior class project included a design for a new covered Larrison Pavilion with a capacity to serve 250 people. That project included site design, structural design and foundation design.
Another project is the interior of the Collett Park Pavilion. The exterior of the pavilion has been improved this year, with a new roof and painting, but improvement work is needed inside, the mayor said.
“We probably always should have had a fund like this for people who want to preserve our parks to make donations. A lot of parks have already done this. We could partner with the Wabash Valley Community Foundation or have it separate. Our goal is to get it set up this year and start collecting funds next year,” the mayor said.
A recent survey done for the city, Bennett said, showed “a good response from people who stated they would contribute to such a fund. It would be tax-deductible and be structured to be worthwhile for people to donate to that,” the mayor said.
Some examples include The Indianapolis Parks Foundation, established in 1991, to secure private funding to support Indianapolis parks plus greenspace throughout Marion County. The foundation was established through the Central Indiana Community Foundation.
An example of a separate nonprofit organization is Friends of the Park Association of Putnam County Inc. in Greencastle. It was formed in 1995 by a group of citizens dedicated to improving recreational options. It is a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit group.
“We work hand-in-hand with the city park department. We go over their goals and objectives and we look at what projects we want to help out with,” said Joan Davis, a member of Friends of the Park.
“In the past, we have put in playgrounds, a skate park and we have a subcommittee called People Pathways that works on hiking and biking trails in the county. We do a couple of fundraisers in the year and it has been pretty successful,” Davis said.
Bennett said the city is not yet ready to officially roll out its foundation, as it still remains in the formation process. It even lacks an official name.
“We have to set guidelines and criteria to maintain that fund. There will be years when people give more than others, so we have to balance that out,” Bennett said.
The mayor said the fund should also be set up to allow people to donate for specific projects.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@
tribstar.com
News
City working to start parks foundation
Private funds would be used to repair, maintain city park assets
- News
-
-
Valentine's Day a rosy business
Red roses, mixed bouquets and even a bonsai tree or two are being delivered today on perhaps the nation’s sweetest holiday.
-
Downtown gets Wi-Fi ‘hotspot’
Frontier Communications has reached an agreement with city officials to create a Wi-Fi “hotspot” covering much of downtown Terre Haute.
-
Board OKs $5.4M in work at schools
The Vigo County School Board has approved borrowing $5.4 million for an expansion of DeVaney Elementary School and energy-related projects at 15 other schools.
-
Stella’s Cafe downtown plans to close March 2
Not long after changing its name from Bit of Britain Tea Room to Stella’s Cafe, a downtown restaurant has announced plans to close its doors.
-
Bill would ease college credit transfers
Indiana college students worried about whether their credit hours will transfer to another university may get some relief if a proposed higher-education bill passes.
-
Court alters trial date for man accused in 1979 death case
A trial date has changed for a Riley man accused of a 1979 homicide.
-
Shift to online raises school cost concerns
Legislation that would require high school students in Indiana to take at least one online course is meeting resistance from some school administrators who say they can’t afford any more mandates from the state.
-
Cops nab man after squad car struck
A West Terre Haute man was arrested Monday after a police pursuit that began after his vehicle collided with a Terre Haute police car.
-
Victim unhurt when robbed by gunman
Terre Haute police were searching late Monday night for a suspect accused of using a gun to rob another person at about 7 p.m.
-
Man face gun charge after woman shot in leg
A Terre Haute man faces a misdemeanor firearms charge following an accidental shooting during the weekend.
-
Martinsville hoops coach accused of indecency
A top Indiana boys’ basketball coach faces a misdemeanor public indecency charge after Indianapolis police say an officer found him in “a state of nudity” in his car in the company of a teenage girl.
-
Packing the hall
If you didn’t come early, the seats were hard to find.
-
Alternative-fuel project has Rose, ISU students all charged up
The future of Earth’s auto industry is intertwined with the career prospects of local university students, and a world-class team shined with green energy Sunday.
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Slow drips: It’s maple syrup season in Indiana
More seasonal, colder temperatures will hit the Wabash Valley this weekend, which is ideal weather for maple syrup production, said Keith Ruble, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.
However, Ruble voices concern that this year’s maple syrup season may be short.
-
Downtown restaurant celebrates expansion
The streets of Terre Haute were chilly Thursday night, but for the glow of hot pasta inside Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe.
- More News Headlines
-
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only
Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Israeli Diplomats Targeted in India, Georgia
ShowBiz Minute: Houston, Grammys, BAFTAs
What Happened Inside Whitney's Hotel Room?
Saying 'I Love You' With a Sewage Plant Tour
Watch: Whitney Houston's Golden Hearse
Kate Upton MLB 2K12 Commercial
Olympic Swimmer Proposes on Podium After Big Win
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
Glee Pays Tribute to Whitney
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
Iran denies Israeli embassy bombings
'Bachelor' Free Falls into the Ocean
Facebook Parenting: Father Posts Video Responding to Daughter's Post
