Projects and Events - Friends in the News
2020 BBQ & Blues Fest - CancelledWith concern over social distancing and public health, the difficult decision to cancel September's Fort Ben BBQ & Blues Festival has been made. The Friends of Fort Harrison will look to bring the event back in 2021!
The Friends Support Prairie RestorationHave you been to the park lately? Perhaps you have noticed that a lot of work has been done over the fall and winter to clear invasive Asian bush honeysuckle from the park. Unfortunately, this variety of honeysuckle deposits toxins in the soil which discourage germination of native plants, however, plans are being made for future restoration of these areas.
To aid in restoration, the Friends of FHSP has approved the purchase of native wildflower seed for the park. The seed that will be purchased will be of native varieties not currently in abundance in the park. The seed will initially be sowed in areas not affected by honeysuckle and allocated to areas in need of restoration in the future. Friends volunteers have also been busy seeding pots for our future flowers in the park. We are learning and perfecting our techniques, however, we expect to provide for most of our flower needs in the future. 
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New Bird Viewing Area Coming Soon!
The Friends of Fort Harrison are supporting the construction of a new bird viewing area. Dylan Allison, Park Naturalist, obtained a grant partially funding the project from the Amos Butler Chapter of the Indiana Audubon Society. The total cost of this project is estimated at $5000.
The viewing area will be located in an area east of the horse barns and west of the Millennium Grove area. Old "bird blinds" have been removed and bird feeding stations and new native plants have been added to attract a variety of birds year round. An additional ADA compliant trail will be constructed. This past summer, the existing path connecting the Treeline trail to the viewing area was leveled for ease of walking. Work was started on the structure this past summer. If interested in donating or volunteering toward this project, please contact us at friendsoffortharrison@gmail.com New Drinking Fountain Purchased!
Thanks to a grant provided by the Indiana Parks Alliance and donations from our community partners Cohron Homes, the Indiana Trail Running Association and other donors, the Friends of FHSP has purchased a new water fountain to be placed near the large playground and facilities across from the sledding hill. The fountain is ADA compliant and will also come with a bottle filler and pet fountain. To be installed in 2020.
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