Friends of Ballard Park formed in 1996 “to protect, preserve and maintain Ballard Park”. Founding board
members included Carol Ballard, Jim Baker and Ginny Purviance. The trio worked with Scott Wheeler and Susan Cooper from the City of Newport to clean up the quarry meadow. Burned out cars, large construction material, household appliances and other trash were removed and the quarry was regraded and sodded. A trail system was introduced and clean ups were held.
The first field trips to Ballard Park were held in 2002. Each year Friends of Ballard Park has expanded the program to partner with more social service agencies and most recently schools. Ballard Park is designated as a field trip site for second and fourth graders from Newport Public Schools.
In 2003 Friends of Ballard Park hosted its first large event — the Annual Ballard Park Pumpkin Tour. More than 2,000 people showed up and the annual event now draws 5,000 people or more. Over the past few years Friends of Ballard Park has developed a regular stable of events which kick off each February with the Illuminated Garden and include outdoor movie screenings, concerts, yoga classes and a Mad Hatter (Iced) Tea Party.
With the support of the community, Carol’s vision is being realized — over 700 children participated in field trips at Ballard Park last year and more than 8,100 people came to events in Ballard Park, scores more visit the park on their own each day. We appreciate your support of our efforts and look forward to seeing you along the trails of Ballard Park!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carol C. Ballard, President
Mrs. Ballard donated 13 acres to be used for Ballard Park when an abutting 54 acre parcel she owned was deeded to the City as a wildlife refuge closed. She had the idea that Ballard Park would serve as the natural viewing area for the 54 acres while providing a site for educational and cultural activity. She is a major contributor to the organization both financially and as a visionary.
Peggy Richmond,
Vice President & Treasurer
Peggy Richmond is active in numerous local and state noprofit organizations including the Redwood Library & Atheneum and Women & Infants Hospital. She spent many years working in the fields of corporate finance and strategic planning and holds an MBA in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She lives with her husband John and children in a home which overlooks the salt marsh habitats of Cherry Creek and Gooseneck Cove into which the watershed from Ballard Park flows.
Colleen Quinn
Mrs. Quinn is a seasoned executive leader who has held management positions at companies and nonprofit organizations such as Vectrix, Insight Communications, Revlon Foundation and Partnership for NYC. She is experienced at raising capital for nonprofit organizations, startup ventures as well as established companies.
Marriam Ring
A longtime neighbor of Ballard Park, Marriam Ring credits the abutting landscape and environment as the reason she and her husband Al bought their home. "We love the wildlife that comes through the yard" said Marriam who is a retired freelance photographer and graduate of Stamford University. A series of photographs taken in 1984 by Mrs. Ring in Ethopia is part of the Jewish Museum’s permanent collection. Mrs. Ring is a long time supporter and board member of the Friends of the Newport Public Library.
Tom Shevlin
Mr. Shevlin is the News Editor and Associate Publisher at Newport This Week, a 15,000 circulation weekly newspaper covering Aquidneck Island. He also co-owns Newport-Now.com the newspaper’s companion web site and is a nature enthusiast who has covered events and happenings at Ballard Park for several years.
Its goals are
1) to ensure Ballard Park remains a wild and natural open space for future generations;
2) encourage the local public to visit and use the park;
3) provide educational and cultural opportunities for local youth and families and
4) highlight the unique qualities and historical importance of Ballard Park.
Colleen McGrath, Executive Director
E-mail: cmcgrath@ballardpark.org
OFFICES
Friends of Ballard Park:
226 Bellevue Avenue #10
Newport RI 02840
Phone: 401.619.3377
E-mail: info@ballardpark.org
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