About the Foundation
Who We Are The Eagle Creek Park Foundation (ECPF) is a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization consisting of more than 2,000 members who help to support Eagle Creek Park. Most members are park users who pay an annual membership fee and receive as part of their membership a credit card-size pass that allows them entrance to the park regardless of the vehicle they are in during regular park hours. A portion of their membership fee is tax deductible and membership is on a calendar year basis. ECPF is governed by a board of directors. There is a maximum of 21 directors who each serve three-year terms and there is a three term limit. Officers are elected by the directors each year. The foundation employs two paid staff members, an executive director and an administrative assistant who manage the day to day operations of the foundation.Why We Exist From its inception Eagle Creek Park has been mandated to be self-sufficient. That is why it is the only park in the Indy Parks System to have an entrance fee. The nominal daily fee does not cover the cost of operating the park. At approximately 5,200 acres of land and water, Eagle Creek Park represents almost half of the acreage under the stewardship of Indy Parks. It is the sixth largest city-owned park in the nation and one of the largest parks devoted entirely to nature. It is truly the gem of the Indy Parks System. Since the fees charged do not cover the cost of operating the park, additional support is needed. That’s where the Eagle Creek Park Foundation comes in. As stated in our mission: “The Eagle Creek Park Foundation provides volunteer and financial support to enhance, promote, preserve and protect Eagle Creek Park.” That support may be in the form of volunteers conducting nature hikes or planting flowers or it may be hosting concerts or a golf tournament. However, most of the activities conducted by the foundation are designed to raise funds to support projects in the park. Fundraising is our most important and most vital task. Why We Need Your Help When we conducted a survey of park users, the results underscored the vast diversity of reasons people come to the park. However, regardless of why the park was being used the common phrase we heard was, “It’s my place to…” No matter what the activity, the people who use Eagle Creek Park think of it as being “their place.” This sense of ownership comes with interesting rules of human nature. When we “own” something we want to: 1) keep it from harm and 2) make it the best it can be. That’s true of Eagle Creek Park and that’s why the founders of the Eagle Creek Park Foundation created the organization. They wanted to make sure that the park would be kept from harm (preserved and protected) and be the best it could be (enhanced and promoted.) Today the members of the foundation continue those tasks by volunteering their time and donating from their financial resources to ensure that this “gem” of the Indy Parks System will provide environmental education and recreation in a natural setting to future generations. That’s why we believe that being a member and supporting the Eagle Creek Park Foundation is the best way to give back to the park! |
