Friends of the Park WANT YOU!
In the Artist Colony Shops • 125 S. Van Buren St.( 812) 988-2817 www. browncountytoychest. com
BEAN BLOSSOM Restaurant
Good Food, Good Service, Good Prices
All-You-Can-Eat
Catfish on Friday Nights
Daily Specials
Breakfast Served All Day
Bean Blossom SR 135 North • 988-1147
Open 7 days a week
HOURS: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 to 4:00 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10:00 to 1:00
THRIFT SHOP
South Van Buren in Nashville( behind Subway)( 812) 988-6003
Proceeds go to local charities
In 1998, a small group of Brown County people who love and enjoy Brown County State Park met and made plans to create a Friends’ association. They struggled at first with organizational challenges such as writing by-laws, securing approval from the DNR, and receiving the 501( c) 3 not-for-profit status, but have met ever since.
During years of monthly pitch-in dinner meetings at the Nature Center they learned a great deal about the park. They also learned how they could help the park.
The mission of the group involves conserving natural resources, educating the public, historical preservation, interpretive activities, and scientific research.
Many Friends’ projects, small and large, have benefited the park.
They financed and built a Friends’ Trail next to the park office to enable physically challenged people and those with infants in strollers to better enjoy the wooded area; bought defibrillators for different areas of the park to help visitors who suffer heart attacks; moved and restored the small building that served as the first gatehouse; cleaned, repaired, and stocked a cabin used by interns; and built a shelter house with the Brown County High School’ s building trades class.
The latest project is the purchase of a Rokon, motorcycle-like vehicle, used to rescue injured bikers from the mountain bike trails in remote park areas.
Friends participate in the spring Wildflower Foray, in mountain bike roundups, and other programs.
The group is looking for anyone who enjoys our Brown County State Park and wants to become a member. Meetings are on the first Wednesday of selected months with a pitch-in-dinner at 6:30 p. m. at the Nature Center. Dues are $ 15 for a single membership and $ 20 for a couple.
For more information call Sally Greeno at( 812) 988-8087. •
24 Our Brown County March / April 2016