News

Foundation Park Conservancy Update

The Foundation Park Conservancy Board would like to thank Jenni DeWinter for her service to the Conservancy for the benefit of Ariel-Foundation Park this year.  After achieving some key milestones, such as opening the park early for the 2024 Solar Eclipse, hosting the Kickoff to Summer opening concert ticketed event, and an entertaining  4th of July celebration, Jenni has decided to use her talents to pursue another opportunity.  We wish her much success in her bright future and are grateful for the time she gave to the Conservancy and for her love of Ariel-Foundation Park.  We are confident that we will find her visiting and enjoying the park often in the years ahead.  Thank you, Jenni!
 
With growing commitment to providing additional resources, the Conservancy is proud to partner with the City of Mount Vernon, who will be transitioning to take on additional areas of responsibility in the years ahead.  This is exciting news as it allows this organization to focus on quality programming and partnership opportunities, as well as promotion of this amazing community asset.  In addition, the Conservancy can aid their efforts through fundraising for special projects of broad interest or appeal with the vision of Ariel-Foundation Park being a world class example of adaptive reuse that honors its industrial heritage and is the focal point for recreation, entertainment, and social interaction in Knox County.
 
Lastly, we are excited to announce that a familiar face will be joining us at the park.  Scott Zimmerman, who worked for the Conservancy in the park’s early years and helped to develop what we all enjoy today,  will return to the Conservancy in September as the Foundation Park Conservancy Manager and will assist in development of FPC’s 10-year celebration of Ariel-Foundation Park in 2025.  There are so many opportunities and areas to celebrate, and our organization looks forward to a bright future in leveraging this world-class space.

Fall: A Season of Transition
Endings are sad but beginnings are exciting! The experiences and skills I gained as a Park Manager have been extensive, but my proudest achievement is strengthening our relationships. It has been a true pleasure connecting park needs with community advocates, those with the passion and willingness to help build a sturdy foundation for a thriving pathway forward. Community support and partnership is the backbone of this park. From turf management to event setup and building repair, thank you to all who extended expertise, time, knowledge and resources. I am grateful and can walk away with confidence knowing our park is left in reliable and capable hands.

Welcome a Familiar Face
Scott Zimmerman was one of the first people to stop by the park office and introduce himself, and we quickly became familiar faces introducing ourselves to the service club circuit. Already a hardworking, behind-the-scenes enthusiast of Ariel-Foundation Park, there’s no doubt Scott will lead Foundation Park Conservancy efforts with grace and fortitude. Congratulations and best wishes Scott! As a proud member of this community, I look forward to seeing and celebrating all your successes!

Special Acknowledgements to all those who contributed in 2024
Throughout 2024, Ariel-Foundation Park has been polished in part to the generosity of various in-kind contributions of time, labor, and/or technical resources to the tune of nearly $4,000. These gifts helped us care for special projects and clean-up efforts. Some gifts of equipment and technical skills helped improve and optimize park efficiencies!

Thank you to the following:
SOS Tree Service
New Life Church
Tru Cut Landscaping & Lawn Care LLC
Kroger Corporation
Mid-Ohio Powersports
City Councilman Mike Miller & Family
City of Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon Municipal Court – Probation Department
Amvets Post 95
VFW Post 4027
Knox County Fish & Game Association
Complete Care Maintenance
Steve Stone & Family
Ohio Means Jobs, Knox County

The continued commitment and generosity of our Friends of the Park leave us feeling tremendously grateful as we deeply appreciate these friendships that blossom, year after year. Please see below for our 2024 Friends of the Park donors.

Connecting Ohio Travelers to Ariel-Foundation Park
Ariel-Foundation Park will soon be featured at two Ohio rest stops as part of an overall 85 Ohio rest stop transformation project being conducted by the State of Ohio. Very soon look for our complimentary promotion at: Richland County (US 30 Eastbound) and Wayne County (Southbound), with potentially more to be added across our great state.

Road Closure

On Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., the westbound loop road in Ariel-Foundation Park will be closed to through traffic to Harcourt Road. The park is hosting the JROTC Challenge Run with multiple teams competing throughout the day. Thank you for your understanding and patience!

Summer Fitness Program

There will not be a 2023 Summer Fitness Program

Water Rescue Excercise

A joint water rescue and dive team exercise with Fredericktown and Danville will take place in the lakes area of the park between 8:30AM and 2:00PM on Wednesday July 19, 2023. Ariel Foundation Park is not only a natural biology lab for area schools, but our local area First Responders use it as a convenient classroom where they can regularly practice and hone their skills.

Clearing Invasive Species

There have been some conversations in the community about the clearing of the area behind the Kiwanis Pavilion north of Center Lake. Since the Park was developed it has become increasingly difficult to manage the spot growth of invasive species such as autumn olive. With input from ODNR, the City Tree Commission and others it was decided to address the worst areas and mechanically clear the infestation. We have completed phase one of the process. We now are moving on to phase two which is to destroy the root systems of this invasive growth. Phase three will be to plant over 50 native Ohio trees to provide future bird habitat and aesthetically pleasing shaded areas. Please bear with us as we move forward in our efforts to continuously monitor, manage and improve our beautiful park.

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  4. Summer 2022 Update from Park Director
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 Rentable Venues

To reserve a venue or picnic pavilion, click here or call 740-501-9293.

Vision Statement
•    Ariel-Foundation Park will be a world class example of adaptive reuse that honors its industrial heritage and is the focal point for recreation, entertainment, and social interaction in Knox County.
Mission Statement
•    The mission of Foundation Park Conservancy is to lead and support the economic stability, preservation, development, programming, and promotion of Ariel-Foundation Park in collaboration with the City of Mount Vernon.

Park Info

 

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 Ariel-Foundation Park, located in Mount Vernon, Ohio, is a 250-acre civic park that offers a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors of all ages.

Visiting Hours

Ariel-Foundation Park is officially open April 1 through November 15. Some areas of the park are accessible to pedestrians year-round. Daily hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. There are no admissions or parking fees. The Rastin Observation Tower, park museum, picnic pavillions, trails and other park features are free and open to the public. The Rastin Observation Tower is open during winter months, as long as weather allows.

Contact Us

Foundation Park Conservancy
P.O. Box 644, Mount Vernon, OH 43050
info@afpark.us
740-501-9293

Mount Vernon City Parks Department
1700 Old Delaware Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050
mtvparks@mountvernonohio.com
740-393-9501

 
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