Friends of Ballard Park
In December 1981, a 72-acre tract was acquired from Anita O'Keefe Young by Carol C. Ballard due to concern that this large tract of land would likely fall into the hands of developers, inasmuch as it was the largest undeveloped tract of land in the City of Newport. The property was owned until 1990, when Mrs. Ballard made a Deed of Gift of 13 acres to the City of Newport for Ballard Park. Simultaneously, with this Gift, Mrs. Ballard conveyed an abutting 54 acres to the City of Newport which is now a wildlife refuge that is closed to the public. Ballard Park allows for unobtrusive observation of the wildlife refuge by providing paths suitable for walking and bird watching.
A non-profit group known as the Friends of Ballard Park (FOB) was formed in 1996 as a 501(c)(3). The group is dedicated to protecting, preserving and maintaining Ballard Park, Newport's only nature preserve. Its goals are to make the Park accessible to the public for the peaceful contemplation of nature, as a passive cultural and educational resource and as a place recognized for its unique and exceptional aesthetic quality.
Photo above shows the park before it was cleaned up.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carol C. Ballard, President
Misi Narcizo, Vice President
Jill Spear, Treasurer
Colleen McGrath, Secretary
Frank Amaral
Linda Lee Butler
Meg Edenbach
Mary Ellen Grosvenor
Brian Kuchar
large items like cars, refrigerators, ovens and construction
materials were removed - see photo top left), Ballard Park is
now emerging as a center for education and culture. The Friends of Ballard Park pays for a landscape architect to maintain the trails of the park.
The group introduced its first educational
program in the summer of 2002. Students worked in collaboration
to enrich their knowledge of the world around them, their ability
to impact the community and their right to take part in social
action. Concepts were taught through interactive simulation
games, inquiry-based science, observation, the use of field study
tools and exposure to the environment. In 2003 the program expanded to include students from two additional programs -
the Salvation Army summer camp and Island Arts "Photography in
Nature". In the Spring of 2004 a class was offered to students at
the Newport Community School and programs were expanded for
the summer programs.
In addition to nature and bird walks, the Friends of Ballard Park
also develops cultural programming in the park. It was a site
for one of Island Moving Company's Open for Dancing in 2002.
In 2004 and 2005 IMC and Friends of Ballard Park co-sponsored a baroque cello concert. In August 2005, world renown musician Paul Geremia performed at the park.
The organization might be best known for creating the Ballard Park Pumpkin Tour which includes a display of over 1,000
jack-o-lanterns carved by children and adults enrolled in local
nonprofit programs as well as the general public. The event
is held the second Saturday before Halloween.
