This weekend, parks and recreation advocates and professionals will descend on Federal Hill Commons in downtown Noblesville for an event aimed at raising money for the Indiana Parks and Recreation Foundation’s scholarship fund.
The brand-new Party in the Park will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13, and will serve as a community event highlighting the urban park.
IPRA’s offices moved to Noblesville a year ago in the former bank building that is on the grounds of Federal Hill Commons,” said Lisa Nye, executive director of the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association. “Because we are already on the property and work so closely with Noblesville Parks, it is the ideal location for a concert and family fun event.”
Nye said the mission of the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association is to support and advocate for its more than 900 members, who are parks and recreation professionals in Indiana. The Noblesville Parks Dept. is highly involved in the organization.
“Noblesville Park’s staff has been integral in the leadership of IPRA and the IPRA Foundation,” Nye said. “Parks Director, Brandon Bennett is the president of the Foundation Board, Assistant Director Mike Hoffmeister is the president of our Association Board, and (Recreation Director) Nichole Haberlin also serves.”
Highlights of the event include music from The Flying Toasters, a kids zone, food trucks and more. Food trucks will include Big D’s Dawgz, GiGi’s Cupcakes, Kona Ice and Limonez Catering, in addition to alcohol from Grand Junction Brewing Co. Noblesville’s Caravan Classes also will host pop-up art classes at the event. All proceeds will benefit the IPRF scholarship fund.
“The amount (awarded) varies from year to year, but the foundation is committed to awarding 5 percent of our total fund each year,” Nye said. “In 2017 more than $10,000 was provided in scholarships and grants … The board established a goal several years ago to build the fund up to $200,000 by the end of the year in 2020. We are currently at more than $190,000 and look forward to continuing to provide educational assistance to students and professionals.”
