A Brief History of Our Accomplishments

2010

• Hazel Abel Park Renovated
• Foundation receives $600,000 gift from the Lincoln Community Foundation, on behalf of the Sheila Dickinson Dinsmore Graf and Burket Graf Fund. The donation to the Lincoln Parks Foundation is the largest in the Lincoln Community Foundation's history to pay for the outdoor amphitheater and surrounding trails at Union Plaza
• John Sampson donates $400,000 to Sherman Field Forever campaign
• Women Airforce Service Pilots Memorial Dedicated at Veterans Memorial Garden

2009

• Foundation receives $392,000 in three gifts from the Kenneth J. Good Estate to support amenities at Union Plaza, establish Legacy Tree Program, and fund first of its kind Public Gardens Horticulture internship
• Legacy Tree Program established at Antelope Park & Mahoney Park
• Foundation receives $30,000 donation from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. for Union Plaza
• Lincoln Parks Foundation chosen as newest matching sponsor for Lincoln Cares. Lincoln Parks Foundation will provide a 50 cent match for every dollar contributed up to $15,000 per year
  

2008

• Announced $4.75 million Union Plaza campaign to build a 6 acre urban park from 'O' Street to 'R' Street between 21st and 22nd Streets as part of the Antelope Valley Project.  Timeless Tiles program created to raise endowment funds for Union Plaza and the parks system
• Successful $350,000 Antelope Park Rose Garden Renovation & Hamann Rose Garden completed

2007

• Wins "My Community My Choice Challenge" after receiving the greatest number of votes from Alltel customers. The Foundation received $10,000 worth of park benches, trees, picnic tables, and more park supplies. ALLTEL presents $15,000 donation to Foundation

2006

• Joined Gatekeepers to raise awareness about community planned giving opportunities
• Unveiled a new logo and website
• Announces Antelope Park Rose Garden Renovation Campaign

2005

• Hanna Keelan Associates develops strategic plan for 2005-2008
• Successful $1.7 million Sunken Gardens renovation campaign is completed & rededicated
• Secured a 228 acre tract of land, valued at $1.2 million from the Martin Family, deeded it to the city, Pioneers Park Nature Center conservancy expands to 668 acres
• Offered rewards for information about vandalism at Highlands Golf Course, Jim Ager Junior Golf Course and to the Cupid statue in the Antelope Rose Garden
  

2004

• "Park it at WOODS" successful $650,000 campaign for improvements at Woods Park & Tennis Center
• Liberty Plaza is established to recognize Foundation's major donors & Golden Friends
• Foundation received a donation for the renovation of Kontras Park and established an endowment for ongoing care of the park
• Successful Fleming Fields Recreational Sports Park campaign completed & dedicated

2003

• "Polishing the Gem" campaign launched to raise $1.7 million to renovate Sunken Gardens, including establishment of One Flower Forever and Paving the Path programs
• East Campus Community Organization fundraising campaign for McAdams Park, Foundation serves as fiscal agent
  

2002

• Entered an agreement to sell pickle cards to Big Red KENO; proceeds used to support renovation of Sunken Gardens, acquisition of land at Pioneers Park Nature Center, and other projects
• Secured grant & provided matching funds to purchase two ADA golf carts for Jim Ager Jr. Golf Course.
• Funding for Stephen C. Schleich Park was donated to the Foundation

2001

• "Kuklin Kids" Campaign launched to strengthen swimming programs at Kuklin Pool
• Students from Lincoln Southeast High School began fundraising campaign to secure $300,000 to build a new "place for all children to play together" -- the Antelope Park Playground
• Secured a grant from Baseball Tomorrow to support Fleming Fields Recreational Sports Park

1996

• Supported the Holmes Lake Dog Run Campaign. This campaign raised money to create a dog park, Rickman's Run, east of 70th Street across from Holmes Park
  

1995

• Land for Schwartzkopf Park was donated to the Foundation and deeded to the City. It is now a 0.4 acre neighborhood park with a playground and basketball court
• Youth Golf program "Sticks for Kids" implemented at Jim Ager Jr. Golf Course

1994

• Lincoln Parks Foundation & the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools worked on a joint project raising money for playground equipment for Elliot School & Norwood Park
• "Parker Rex" Campaign launched, introducing the Department mascot "Parker Rex"
• Supported Green Team, a summer youth employment program to assist in park maintenance activities, summer recreation programs, and playground construction

1993

• 1st Annual LPF Golf Tournament held at newly-opened Highlands Golf Course
• Veteran's Memorial Garden Advisory Council joins LPF as affiliate
• "We Love Our Parks" fundraising campaign launched -- 1^st community "call to action"
  

1992

• The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Foundation is established. Created as a formal channel for gifts to the Parks and Recreation Department with tax advantages for donors. The Founding Board of Directors: Dr. James Rickman, Marilyn Olson, Clancy Woolman, Fred R. "Bob" Sikyta, Robert A. Helm, Arlan Stromberg, Phyllis Pauley, M.E. "Bus" Whitehead, Bill Blake and Lori McClurg