A resident-led organization focused on providing direct material support for the City of Geneva’s Public Works and Recreation Departments has been formed. The Geneva Parks Foundation says it aims to bolster the city’s parks and recreational spaces, ensuring they remain vibrant, accessible, and enriching for residents and visitors.
According to organizers, the Geneva Parks Foundation’s mission is rooted in a commitment to five core principles: Inclusion: Ensuring that parks offer equipment and programming accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities. Naturalism: Promoting naturalistic landscape management and fostering wildflower development to enhance ecological diversity. Safety: Prioritizing the maintenance of safe, well-patrolled parks and equipment. Education: Offering educational opportunities related to fitness, conservation, farming, and other vital aspects of outdoor recreation. Arts: Creating spaces that encourage and showcase performing arts, sculpture, murals, and other forms of artistic expression.
By providing direct material support to the City of Geneva staff and employees, the Foundation says it will play a crucial role in enhancing the quality and accessibility of Geneva’s public spaces. This support will enable the Public Works and Recreation departments to implement projects and initiatives that might otherwise be beyond their current resources.
“We are incredibly excited to launch the Geneva Parks Foundation,” said Geoff Hellauer-Geiger, Ward 3 resident and founder of the Geneva Parks Foundation. “Our aim as parents and residents who utilize these parks is to work hand-in-hand with the City to ensure that our parks are not only beautiful but also serve as vital community hubs. We believe that access to well-maintained, inclusive, and educational parks is essential for the well-being of our community.”
The Geneva Parks Foundation invites residents, businesses, and community organizations to join in supporting its mission. Opportunities for involvement include donations, volunteering, and participation in upcoming events. The next meeting is scheduled for March (date pending).
“Our first formal meeting was held earlier this month, and we plan to start distributing park usage surveys in the coming weeks to develop our project proposals and city wishlist with other partners like Geneva Community Projects,” Hellauer-Geiger continued.
For more information about the Geneva Parks Foundation, contact [email protected].
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