The Riverside State Park Foundation has been in existence since 2001. It continues to play an active role in support of Riverside State Park.
The purpose of the Foundation, as stated in the Bylaws, include:
- To encourage general awareness, further public interest and provide public education in an effort to promote the responsible use and protection of the Park and its cultural, recreational, historical and natural resources.|
- To solicit funds and collect contributions to assist the management of Riverside State Park in enhancing its programs and services at the Park.
- To promote and maintain an active membership.
- To encourage, organize and aid volunteer services.
The Park is also supported by the Riverside State Park Advisory Board which provides advice to the Park Manager. The Foundation and Advisory Board work cooperatively in support of Riverside State Park and while they have different purposes their activities overlap.
At the January meeting Steve Anderson, Claire Sosso-Kessler, Gino Lisiecki and Tom Kessler were reelected to the Foundation. The Board elected the following officers: President – Ken Carmichael, Vice President – Mike Brixey, Secretary – Barbee Scheibner and Treasurer – Caren Hubbard.
In 2006 the Foundation accepted a $10,000 grant from REI for projects in Riverside State Park. While these projects primarily occurred in 2006, some of the projects and finances continued into 2007. The final project was purchasing a log splitter. Since there was not enough money in the REI grant to complete this project the Foundation also contributed to the log splitter.
The Foundation continues to communicate with the public through a quarterly newsletter sent out in February, May, August & November. Distribution ranges from 80 to 400 depending on the content and targeted audience. The Foundation maintains a website at www.riversidestatepark.org that identifies features of the park. The Foundation also distributes a flier that encourages membership and describes features of the Park.
Current membership in the Foundation is 56. Of these, 43 have contributed cash donations and 13 have become members through volunteer opportunities within the park as well as on the Board of Directors and the Advisory Committee. Sales of Park trail maps also contribute to our income. In addition, the public is provided with the opportunity to donate to special projects (such as the Education Fund) through a contribution envelope inserted in each newsletter.
Each year Park Rangers visit local classrooms presenting their program to educate our youth on ecology, conservation and flora and fauna. Field trips to the park are often included. The Foundation is working with the rangers to enhance their educational program by incorporating training materials for the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). These materials are geared to the age of the audience and encourage conservation of our natural resources.
The Foundation supplies a sturdy information card for the children to take home listing the principles of LNT including tips on minimum impact recreation. The Foundation continues to encourage the public participation in support of our State Park system at the park level through our newsletter and website.
Manager René Wiley continues to provide excellent support to the Foundation. She attends our meetings providing valuable input and keeps us informed about park activities, staffing levels and budgets.
The Foundation looks forward to another exciting and challenging year as Riverside State Park continues to support the recreational and environmental needs of the community and state.
Ken Carmichael
President Riverside State Park Foundation
