Z’GreenBackers

0

A look at the group helping parks and rec get back on track

By Sophie Pappas

“It’s fun and it’s a little catchy,” said Dot Hitchens as she sipped her coffee one morning. “And what’s really great is that we have the wonderful support of the parks board and the Zionsville Town Council.”

Hitchens, who sits on the Zionsville Parks and Recreation board, is talking about the new group she is leading, a group she and its members have fancily called the Z’GreenBackers.

With the overarching goal to raise awareness of the parks, Hitchens said the Z’GreenBackers formed to help generate funds and add facilities and amenities to the parks.

“We are behind on our parameters for the town metrics,” Hitchens said, noting that in the town’s master plan there are areas in which the Dept. of Parks and Recreation is not where it should be.

Supt. of Parks and Recreation Matt Dickey said that developing parks and recreation facilities is a vital part of the economic developmental goals for the town.

“It’s very big for us all,” he said. “But we’re obviously not where people want us to be.”

One example is with trails and pathways. Dickey said that in the master plan, the number one thing people in the community asked for is more rails.

“We have the Rail Trail, but people want more, so we are always hoping to expand north and south,” he said. “And I really do think that we need to get to the place where we can say that in 10 years or so we can all envision enough resources within the parks to have full-scale recreation programming.”

Another example is with building amenities such as a dog park or more sun shelters, which Hitchens said can cost thousands of dollars.

“We are finally going to be able to put a sun shelter bench at Laurel Street Green, along the trail head,” she said. “It’s basically a park bench with a shaded top, but it’s just one example of what we need more of…. We have to keep up with all the metrics of the town.”

Hoping to help fill the gaps in funding for Zionsville parks, Hitchens said the Z’GreenBackers have not just one main fundraising goal, but many ongoing projects they would like to tackle.

“Once we have our foundation up and running, we can do more,” she said.

Dickey said that he would love to see the group establish more sponsorships, grants, fundraisers or even estate planning for the department.

“These are just some tools that could be used to help us fiscally,” he said. “Such as with estate planning, we could take land, stock, money … anything to potentially help people plan their estates. If they want to donate, we want to be ready for them to do so.”

The smallest of the town’s departments, parks and recreation operates with a budget well below many of the other areas in the town. This year, Dickey said he is hoping for an increase of $73,000 for parks, much of which includes the ever-increasing costs of oil.

“We are going through the process now,” he said. “Budget meetings are happening, and we would like to see an increase in what we can work with.”

Z’PaR for a cause

The first event for the Z’GreenBackers is the Z’PaR Inaugural Family Golf Tournament. The tournament will be Sept. 26, with a shotgun start at 4:30 p.m. at the Zionsville Golf Course.

Hitchens said that the GreenBackers launched the golf tournament to provide a great family event for park patrons and to highlight funding needs of the parks department.

“It’s just a fun event,” she said.

Families are encouraged to gather a foursome and come out for a fun evening of golf and activities. Entry forms can be picked up at the Zionsville Golf Course, Kern Brother’s shoe store, or Akard True Value Hardware.

More information can be found at www.zionsville-in.gov/town-services/parks.

Proceeds will benefit the Zionsville Department of Parks and Recreation initiatives. To donate to the Zionsville Department of Parks and Recreation, make checks payable to Community Foundation of Boone County ZPRP fund.

The Z’GreenBackers is a group that stems from the Fundraising Advisory Committee for the Dept. of Parks and Recreation. This creative and fun committee is seeking creative members to help develop innovative fundraising opportunities. For more information contact Dot Hitchins at [email protected].


Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Share.

Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact