A Great Park Deserves Great Friends!

THE MISSION OF THE FRIENDS OF GARFIELD PARK

To ensure the preservation and evolution of the public benefits of Garfield Park through enhanced funding, effective advocacy, and expanded stewardship. ~Mission

ENHANCED FUNDING

  • Obtain grants for restoration & historic preservation projects
  • Conduct grassroots-level giving campaigns
  • Administer a trust containing legacy gifts to Garfield

EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY

  • Championing specialized care for historic park assets
  • Collaborating with IndyParks on advanced preservation directives
  • Promoting community engagement in park preservation

EXPANDED STEWARDSHIP

  • Proactive planning and management of historic park assets
  • Directing stewardship for GP since our founding in 1998
  • Conducting assessments and engaging experts in historic preservation

News and Events

What’s Going On With the Fountains?

Friends of Garfield Park Report on Fountain and Sunken Garden Restoration ProjectJune, 2023 Friends of Garfield Park, Indy Parks and Smock Fansler Corporation (expert fountain and concrete contractor) are working together to renovate the historic Garfield Park fountains and to repair worn hardscape in the Garfield Park Sunken Garden. FOGP has been working with our…

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Summer’s Gonna Start Out Ruff!

Southern Indiana’s Own Country Music Star, Hank Ruff is coming to the Garfield Park MacAllister Amphitheater on June 2 at 7 PM. Get Your Tickets Now! Hank’s a graduate of Indiana University and has been building a name for himself—moving up in the charts, bringing his more neo-traditional brand of country music to fans all…

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$3.5 Million in Park Improvements Funded!

Lilly Endowment has given an amazing gift to Friends of Garfield Parkfor  some much needed improvements. $2,500,000. Yes! That’s $2.5 million (not a typo). “Garfield Park: Established in 1876, Garfield Park is the city’s oldest park and includes unique amenities, such as a conservatory, the Sunken Gardens, and the MacAllister Center for the Performing Arts. $5.5…

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OUR WORK

Fountains for the Future

Because we’re Friends, we want to keep you in the know. While we aren’t ready to launch the public facing phase of our Historic Fountain Restoration & Preservation Campaign, we did want to let you, our supporting Friends, know that our Board of Directors has been working tirelessly behind the scenes this year. Above and…

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Celebrating a Season of Gratitude!

This is the season of Thanksgiving and we are especially thankful for you! Thankful for…your recent donations, as they have fueled our mission for enhanced funding on behalf of historic Garfield Park. Thankful for…your participation in FOGP sponsored and hosted events as this ensures the evolution of the public benefits. When you invite your friends…

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Friends for the Future

Circa 1998. The Friends of Garfield Park, Inc was conceived by concerned, business-minded individuals, supported by Indy Parks and Recreation. After incorporating on November 19, 1998, The Friends began developing a model for supplemental financial support for Garfield Park. An endowment, supported by the Indianapolis Foundation was created in order to ensure that resources would…

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FOGP Funds @Work on the Fountains

Watch our next step to improve our historic Fountain operation! This major improvement project started in October with a dig in the park as TSW Utility Solutions, Inc. and  Smock Fansler  Corporation …will be installing underground infrastructure to support future automated water quality treatment in partnership with Indy Parks and Citizens Energy Group.   Stayed…

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GIVING CENTER

Welcome to our Giving Center. Take some time to browse through the different ways you may give to Garfield Park. Donors receive FOGP news, invitations, recognition and participation opportunities for special events.

We are a 501-C-3 organization. Any donations made are tax deductible to the extent of the IRS Code.

WELCOME TO GARFIELD ALIVE

ENJOY A TOUR OF HISTORIC GARFIELD

You may know that Garfield Park is the oldest city park in Indianapolis and that it is 126 fantastic acres packed with fun and activity for your family. But did you know that Garfield Park is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places? This distinction is judged by how great the Park’s impact has been on the city of Indianapolis, since its founding! Way back in 1876 when it was Southern Park. There are several sites within the Park that have been singled out to be featured in our Tour of Historic Garfield.

THREE WAYS TO ENJOY THE PARK

1: The website contains a list of the historic sites located within the park, along with a brief description of each item, some photographs and audio clips so that you can listen to a brief overview in reference to each historic site.

Click on this link GarfieldParkIndy.org/Tour to enjoy the elements of the website-hosted tour.

And a Very Special Thank You:

This Visitor’s Guide to Historic Garfield Park was made possible by a generous grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and the Friends of Garfield Park.

2: To enjoy the tour by walking in the park, take along a print-version of this Visitor’s Guide as well as a copy of the Park Map. The map will direct your steps, and the guide will provide a brief description of each of the 7 historic sites, and images to help you identify each featured site. Most of the historic sites are viewable from the 1.5 mile, paved path that winds through the Park. Access this digital version of the tour for a narrated version while you walk in the park.

Download and/or print the Visitor’s Guide to the Historic Garfield HERE

Download and/or print the Park Map HERE

3: The Teacher’s Packet is a great supplemental tool if you are planning a field trip to Garfield Park. We have provided a range of student & teacher resources to help make these historic connections practical and engaging.

Email us at info@GarfieldParkIndy.org if you’d like assistance in planning your field trip to Garfield, and we’ll get you connected to the necessary resources.

And a Very Special Thank You:

This Teacher’s Guide to Walk, Talk, and Teach at Garfield Park was generously supported by Strada Education Network, FOGP, and a Historic Preservation Education Grant from Indiana Humanities, Indiana Landmarks, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

TEACHERS PACKETS

This Teacher’s Guide is a resource for educators to assist students in learning about Indiana and local history while making useful connections about the history of Garfield Park. This first edition of the Teacher’s Guide is especially geared toward 4th grade students taking into consideration their focus on Indiana history.

You may also connect with Garfield Park Staff and Friends of Garfield Park for assistance in planning your Field Trip and to apply for local transportation funds if this would make your field trip possible. Garfield Park is your park and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to come and bring your students!

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS & STAFF

Lynda Burrello, President
Retired ~ Indy Parks– Garfield Park Manager

Jan Lesniak, Vice President
Retired Attorney

Joni Anderson — Secretary
Retired- Vice President & Senior Corporation Counsel

Cheryl Dillenback-Treasurer
Neighborhood Leader

Joseph Banfield
Kopec Electric

Micah Beachler
Bahl Solutions, LLC ~ VP Sales & Talent Acquisition

Mark Bowles
Retired, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Russ Clemens
Senior Mgr. of Compensation & Benefits -Citizens Energy Group

John Hornberger
Retired Teacher

Katie Jacobsen
Tube Processing

Allie Kast
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Lisa Laflin
Executive Director -West Indy Development Corp.

Jeff Mader
Principal/Owner – Mader Design

Alex MacAllister
Southern District Operations Manager- MacAllister Rentals

William Malone, Jr
Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage

John Masengale
Eli Lilly and Co., Retired

Roxanne Whitley-Anderson
Operations Manager- Dayspring Center

Bob Willsey
President & Investment Advisor, Bison Creek Advisors, LLC

Life Board Members

Doug Hardwick
Horseshoe & 500 Gordon Pipers
Retired

Mark Van Auken
Easley Winery
Retried-The National Bank of Indianapolis

Posthumous Life Board Members

Betty Foley
Founding FOGP Member 1998-2015

Richard Hornberger
Founding FOGP Member 1989-2013

P.E MacAllister
MacAllister Machinery Co. , Inc. 1999 -2019

George Seybert
Founding FOGP Member 1989-2017

Honorary Board of Directors

Phil Bayt
Attorney, Ice Miller

Jeff Cardwell
President, Cardwell Do it Best

Mike Davis
Community Leader, Retired

Andy Hohlt
Neighborhood Leader

Greg Martz
President, GM Development

Staff

Mike Lennox
FOGP Administrative Consultant

Dale Bowell
FOGP Board Assistant

GET IN TOUCH

Have questions or concerns?
Send us a note and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

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