"Putting People in the Parks!"
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| Britta McKenna Foundation President |
Stefin Steberl Foundation Vice President |
Sarah Ryerson Foundation Secretary |
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| Dawn Moecher Foundation Treasurer |
Mike Burke |
Nikki Kazadi |
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| Laura O'Brien | Stan Oke |
To foster recreation and open space initiatives that enhance residents' quality of life.
Visit www.facebook.com/bataviaparksfoundation for more information! Interested in becoming a Parks Foundation board member? Submit an application
Join us on Saturday, April 9 (9 a.m. to Noon) for our next "Pitch in at the Parks" Community Work Day with Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners. Sign up to volunteer HERE!
Save the date of Saturday, June 25 for the next Community Work Day!
Interested in volunteering? Please visit our volunteer page.
Since its inception in 2005, the Batavia Parks Foundation has raised more than $500,000 in funds and completed a number of capital projects. They continue to search for ways to raise funds and to complete projects that will enhance the community.
Space Net
The Batavia Parks Foundation funded the return of the Engstrom Family Park Space Net, which is enjoyed by thousands of kids.
Batavia Riverwalk & Peg Bond Center
The Batavia Riverwalk and Peg Bond Performing Arts Pavilion were planned and funded by the Batavia Parks Foundation and constructed primarily by volunteers.
Disc Golf
The Foundation funded equipment for the Disc Golf Course at West Main Community Park.
Batavia Riverwalk Boardwalk Project
Volunteers completed the Batavia Riverwalk Boardwalk Project in 2014 with $150,000 from the Batavia Parks Foundation.
Bulldogs Unleashed
The return of the successful, fun-filled public art event, Bulldogs Unleashed, in 2018 raised $22,962 for each of the three founding organizations, including the Batavia Parks Foundation, Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence and the Batavia Library Foundation.
Engstrom Park Ballfield
In 2019, the Foundation funded the application of a new, high-quality ballfield lime material that will allow wet condition playtime.
As a nonprofit 501(C)3 organization, we depend upon contributions of time, talent, and financial gifts to sustain our mission "to foster recreation and open space initiatives that enhance residents' quality of life."
Please consider sharing your gift to the Batavia Parks Foundation to any of our dedicated funds established on focused areas of work:
"I sat on the foundation board for over 14 years and found great satisfaction and fulfillment from serving the community. The reason I become involved and volunteered was, to "give back". Batavia is a special town, and it is a great place to raise a family, socialize, play and learn. As such, I wanted to support an organization that promotes and enhances community spirit and living a healthier lifestyle. The Batavia Parks Foundation is here to serve through the advancement of recreation, a celebration of diversity, stewardship of the environment and enhancement of every citizen's quality of life. Foundation projects and programs mirror my philosophy of providing service with meaning and impact." - Matt Ellman, former Parks Foundation Board Member
On Saturday, May 7, National Play Outside Day, the Batavia Parks Foundation and volunteers from the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association hosted family-friendly stations with interactive games at the South Riverwalk Plaza. Thanks to all who came out to enjoy the fresh air and play games along with us! At this event, the Batavia Parks Foundation also launched a fundraising campaign for the "Peace on Earth" project, in partnership with Craig Foltos.
This special campaign will fund replacement of the seasonal wooden letters that hang currently on the Batavia bicycle-pedestrian bridge with permanent letters featuring LED lighting to shine all year around. Installation is targeted for the fall of 2023.
A new "Pay it Forward" promotion will earmark funds raised through raffle ticket sales to the Peace on Earth project. Parks Foundation President Britta McKenna encourages residents and business owners to get involved. "Whether you purchase a $20 Play it Forward raffle and save ticket or you have the ability to be a major donor or sponsor, it will take all of us to assure Peace on Earth lights up in Batavia all year 'round," McKenna said.
Raffle tickets feature exciting prizes and discounts from many community businesses, or "play partners." Tickets will be sold at River Rhapsody concerts, the Batavia's Farmer's Market (on June 11), from Parks Foundation board members, daily at Foltos' barbershop (7 East Wilson St.), and online at:
https://bataviaparksfoundation.rallyup.com/peaceonearth/Campaign/Details.
Only 1,000 tickets will be sold, and raffle prize winners will be pulled at Batavia Park District's Pints by the Pond, a new craft beer festival, which will be held on September 24. Laura O'Brien, chair of the Play it Forward Promotion, said the the raffle prizes give winners a "uniquely fun way to experience Batavia...And don't just put the raffle ticket on the fridge! The back side of the raffle ticket is a discount card worth over $50 in fun experiences from our play partners."
The ten community play partners in the Play it Forward promotion include: BOJ-E-BIKES, Mirus, Sturdy Shelter Brewing, Sidecar Supper Club, Katie O'Brien Photography, Batavia Fine Arts Centre, Batavia Park District, Funway, The Comedy Vault, and Pal Joey's.
