The Friends of Richland County Park District

Our Mission

The Friends of Richland County Park District (formerly the Friends of The Gorman Nature Center) supports operations of the Richland County Park District (which includes The Gorman Nature Center, the Richland B&O Bike Trail, properties along the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail, and Fleming Falls Preserve) by providing volunteer assistance, coordination, and financial support for programs and events, acquisition and preservation of parklands, operation of facilities, special projects, and publicity.

The Friends of Richland County Park District is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1984. The organization is funded by donations, grants, fund-raisers, and memberships.

Supporting

Our

Richland County Parks

Our History

The Friends of Richland County Park District (formerly the Friends of The Gorman Nature Center) has a long history of providing financial and volunteer support for the Richland County Park District (RCPD).

After the RCPD acquired its first property in 1975 (a gift from Jim Gorman and Jean Gorman Bates), it was The Friends who raised over $500,000 to build Gorman Nature Center’s Visitor Center in 2001. To this day, The Friends continue to support operations of The Gorman Nature Center.
Ever since the RCPD established the Richland B&O Bike Trail in 1995, The Friends financial support and volunteer hours have been critical to maintaining the 18.4 mile trail. (The Bike Trail celebrated its 25th year in 2020!)

Our Future

It is the goal of The Friends of Richland County Park District to grow our membership and our finances. Just as the Richland County Park District operations have grown -- having acquired Fleming Falls Preserve (2019) and properties along the Clear Fork Valley Scenic Trail (various dates), so have the needs and opportunities for The Friends support for those operations.

What's Happening?

You're Invited!

The Annual Meeting of the Friends of Richland County Park District is scheduled for

5:30 p.m. Saturday, August 27th, at Gorman Nature Center.

RSVP to rcpd2021@gmail.com by 8/24/22.

Food and beverage provided.

Please check back here and on Richland County Park District's Facebook page for updates.

Not a member? Join (and vote) at https://sites.google.com/view/friendsofrichlandcountyparks

or in-person at Gorman Nature Center

The Friends of Richland County Park District Board of Trustees will have two vacancies to fill starting in September.

The Board typically meets at Gorman Nature Center the second Monday evening of every or every other month. We appoint a chairperson, secretary, and financial officer. Between meetings, we manage Friends business via email.

If you, or someone you know is interested, please email at rcpd2021@gmail.com. Deadline is July 25th.

FLEMING FALLS PRESERVE OBSERVATION DECK COMING 2022

A capital campaign has been underway to help fund an observation deck/welcome center at the site of the former historical Fleming House/Oneida Lodge at Fleming Falls Preserve. The “front porch” will serve as an inspirational and functional gateway element for the preserve as visitors enter from the parking lot.

The project is being initiated by alumni staff and campers of Camp Mowana and will feature some wood and stone components that have been salvaged from the 114-year-old lodge. The plan provides areas for picnic table placement as well as historical informational signage that will share the legacy of the site’s stewards throughout the years.

NOTE: This is NOT a campaign organized by The Friends. However, The Friends endorse the campaign which will benefit the Richland County Park District. For more information about the plans as well as updates and status of the fundraising campaign, visit http://ffpobservationdeck.weebly.com/

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