About Us

Our Mission: ​The purpose of the Friends of Fort Harrison State Park is to collaborate closely with Fort Harrison State Park staff in order to: Support property staff in projects and events that preserve, manage and interpret both the natural and cultural heritage and recreational opportunities of Fort Harrison State Park.

​Board Members
​Our Board members are all volunteers who are elected at the annual meeting.
Officers
Karen Coleman President
Dexter Lee, Vice President
​Lee Ann Kee, Treasurer
Rachel Walker, Secretary
Directors:
Joy Fulk- Membership
Don McQuade- Special Events
Kyle Nelson
​Jennifer McQuade
Rachel Heck- Volunteer Coordinator
​David Kings​
Recent Projects and Accomplishments include:
  • Purchased and planted 15 trees for the Harrison Trace across from the sledding hill
  • Purchase of new drinking fountain for Shafter Road facility area
  • Began work on a new bird viewing area, including leveling the path and providing native plants for the area
  • Painting:  Fort Branch, Delaware Lake, Walnut, and Cherry Tree shelters.  Painted bridges over Lawrence Creek and several signs
  • ​Continued planting, mulching, and maintaining park gardens at the Gate House, Shafter Road facilities, and Visitor Cent, er 
  • Fall Creek trail improvements:  improved drainage and armored muddy areas 
  • Camp Creek trail improvements:  improved access to trail, constructed 2 bridges over creeks, trimmed excessive vegetation, armored wet areas
  • Harrison Trace improvements:  trimmed overgrowth, repaired stairs descending down to Delaware Lake
  • Treeline Trail Renewal:  armored muddy areas, trimmed, and re-labeled the previous Tree ID Trail.  
  • Held annual meeting with presentation by the Purdue Extension regarding urban gardening
  • Sponsored the 2018 Jr IMN Class and supported Jr. IMN Class in making a Rain Garden, made possible by a grant from Aveda
  • Shafter Playground improvements, working with community partners
  • Partnered with REI, INPAWS, INDOT, Scouts, and many volunteers on National Public Lands Day to remove invasive species from the Walnut Plantation
  • Hosted the annual Fort Harrison State Park BBQ & Blues Fest
  • Participated in the Lawrence 4th of July parade with park naturalists
  • Installed park benches by the Delaware Lake Playground
  • Removed invasive garlic mustard 
  • ​Replaced or repaired the Visitor Center pond liners
  • Provided volunteer educators for the Indiana Master Naturalist (IMN) classes and school programs
  • Provided food, candy, refreshments and supplies for First Day Hike, 4th of July parade, and the Halloween Bash

For a list of current projects and events, see the "Events" tab.