Educational experiences offered at Falls of the Ohio State Park will be enhanced with a new endowment created by the Falls of the Ohio Foundation.
The fund, created through the generosity of Patty Cress, who volunteered with the park’s “Naturalist at Heart” program and assisted with both public and school programs, will ensure that nearly 1,000 students can visit and explore the park’s fossil beds and interpretive center to experience nature and history each year at no cost to them.
“Gifts like this remind us of the impact that the natural and cultural resources of Indiana State Parks make upon our guests,” said Terry Coleman, director of Indiana State Parks.
Kenton Wooden, executive director of the foundation said, “Over our 36-year history, and with help from important community partners and supporters like Patty, we’ve helped connect our region to this landscape’s unique beauty and historical significance.
Coleman thanked both Cress and the Foundation.
“We appreciate this generous gift from Patty Cress, and we also appreciate the work that Kenton and The Falls of the Ohio Foundation did to make it a reality,” he said. “Children are the future of our parks and public lands, and this new endowment will provide ongoing opportunities for them to make connections with this unique state park.”
The new endowment joins several other funds established to support Indiana State Parks through community foundations or the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. For more information about ways to support Indiana State Parks, visit on.IN.gov/instateparksdonate. To learn about local friends groups that also support Indiana State Parks, visit on.IN.gov/instateparksfriends.
Find out more about The Falls of the Ohio Foundation and Cress’ connections with Falls of the Ohio State Park at fallsoftheohio.org.
To view more news releases, see dnr.IN.gov.
