Friday, November 26, 1999
City parks want some 'Friends'
BY OWEN FINDSEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Wherever you live in Cincinnati, there is a park nearby. More than 150 parks and greenspaces can be found within the city limits.
Now you can get to know Cincinnati parks even better by becoming a friend.
Friends of Cincinnati Parks, a new membership program, is being launched to increase awareness and support for the city's parks. Membership will help raise funds for the parks and keep members informed about their many events.
“Actually there was a Friends organization for several years,” says Ron Molen, director of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation. “When the foundation was established in 1995, it sort of became dormant because it served the same purpose of fund-raising as the foundation.”
Over the past year, “we've been looking at ways to create a better line of communication with our constituents,” he says.
Expanding programs
The foundation is working with the Park Board to expand the Cincinnati Parks' nature programs, lecture series and bus tours.
The foundation also is the coordinating organization accepting donations for the renovation and maintenance of the Tyler Davidson Fountain on Fountain Square.
“Most people don't think about the difference between the city parks and the Hamilton County Parks, which are supported by a county levy,” Mr. Molen says. “Cincinnati parks are funded only from the city budget and from private donations and grants.”
Since the first park, Piatt Park in downtown Cincinnati, was created in 1818, parks have always depended on private sector donations to supplement public funding, grants and contributions. Friends of Cincinnati Parks is intended to increase community involvement and provide a sense of “ownership” for its members.
Five levels
There are five levels of Friends of Cincinnati Parks membership, starting at $25 for a Friend, $35 for a Family, $50 for a Sponsor, $100 for a Patron and $250 for a Partner.
Membership includes a subscription to the Park Ways newsletter, a monthly calendar of events, one free ticket to the annual Butterfly Show at the Krohn Conservatory, a 10% discount at the Krohn Conservatory Gift Shop, maps of the parks and a Friends window sticker.
Higher memberships include more benefits, such as nature program brochures and free attendance at lectures, bus tours and nature walks.
To launch the Friends of the Cincinnati Parks, the Foundation is mailing out 12,000 application brochures today.
Applications can be obtained at the Cincinnati Parks Foundation office at 950 Eden Park Drive, at Krohn Conservatory, or by phoning the office at 357-2619. Within a week, application information will be also posted on the Cincinnati Parks Web site, www.cinci-parks.org
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