News release from Friends of the Parks:
Donor Challenges Foster Park Neighbors to a Dollar-for-Dollar Match
Foster Park Neighbors have always taken great pride in living near this grand park. The ever changing floral display, the rolling terrain, and the much used pathways create an atmosphere of harmony and grace, a place that one wants to return to time and again. For one long-time resident of Foster Park neighborhood it was “The Big Office.”
From the time John Oldenkamp came to Fort Wayne to attend college to become an engineer in 1954 until the present he has called Foster Park “The Big Office.” Whenever he had a challenging project to conquer he would take time to walk through the park and would always come up with the solution.
Today, Friends of the Parks, is partnering with Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, the City of Fort Wayne and the Southwest Area Partnership to renew the entrance of Foster Park in a way that will improve pedestrian safety and connection with the neighborhoods, and improve its scenic value as well. It is the mission of the Friends of the Parks to promote the stewardship and celebration of the scenic, historic, and recreational resources of the parks and public spaces in Fort Wayne and Allen County.
Mr. Oldenkamp loves Foster Park so much that he was a major donor in helping to restore Pavilion #1. And now, with the new project about to unfold, he has made a challenge that he will match dollar-for-dollar up to $175,000 donated by residents who hold the park near and dear to their hearts as well.
Sunday, September 18, Mr. Oldenkamp is hosting an Ice Cream Social at Foster Park Pavilion from 2 – 5 p.m. A barbershop quartet, The FIXX, will perform from 2:30 to 3:30 and Blue Bunny Ice Cream (Mr. Oldenkamp’s favorite) will be served. This is one of a series of events throughout the neighborhood to give neighbors the opportunity to view the drawing, ask questions and learn more about what it will take to complete this project.
Anyone wanting to contribute to Foster Park projects can send donations (checks only please) to Friends of the Parks, PO Box 10152, Fort Wayne IN 46850-0152.
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