(UNDATED) – Visitors to three Indiana state parks who attend presentations, see pollinators at work or just get a clean water supply will enjoy the results of projects funded in part by grants from the Indiana Parks Alliance (IPA).
IPA mini-grants enhance the efforts of local Friends of the Park groups, who donate time, money and elbow grease to enhance visitors’ experiences at many Indiana State Parks and nature preserves. These funds, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, help Friends groups as they work with park staff to augment, update or replace park fixtures and features with items that are outside the parks’ frugal budgets.
Visitors will notice improvements fueled by this year’s grants at Harmonie, Shakamak and Spring Mill state parks.
Following are thumbnail descriptions of each project and links to each park’s Friends group.
Spring Mill State Park
$1,500 for supplies to build a terraced garden to attract pollinators at the Lakeview Activity Center.
A landscape architect has donated design services, and Friends of Spring Mill State Park and others have donated plants, labor, and funding. Park staff will perform most of the labor to construct the garden, and the Friends group will provide ongoing maintenance and upkeep.
For more information visit
https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Spring-Mill-State-Park-200372153942463
Shakamak State Park
$1,000 for completion of an amphitheater to house presentations, performances, and films.
Friends of Shakamak have led the project for two years and will match the IPA grant with additional funding and labor.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/friendsofshakamak
Harmonie State Park
Replacing four aging unreliable hydrants that provide water to users throughout the park. Over several years, the Friends hope to replace all 30 hydrants in the park.
$2,000 grant, matched with $1,000 from Friends of Harmonie State Park and an expected $1,000 from local business and other fundraising.
For more information visit http://www.friendsofharmonie.org/
https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-Harmonie-State-Park-237236413004072
