Everything Under The Sun: Providing Funds And Extra Services At A State Park

Volunteers clearing one of the trails in Patapsco Valley State Park.

This organization started out as a gathering of businesses, groups, and volunteers, to convert an old building into a visitors center in the late 1990s. By 2000, the Avalon Visitors' Center was completed and open. But it wasn't the only new item ready for Patapsco Valley State Park. Along the way, that gathered group had formed into FRIENDS OF PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK (FPVSP).

Obviously this group of active individuals had much more in mind. From advocacy to beautification to trail maintenance to recreational programs, this group provides. Most important, though, is the fundraising that the group accomplishes. Such additions as "Discovery" backpacks for visitors enhance the exchange of information, iPads for the park rangers help them to do their work more efficiently, and the Hollofield Play Space adds to the appreciation and fun of the park's youngest users, even those with physical challenges. These park additions are extras that normally are not found in a fiscally tight State budget.

Just in the past month, weather has played a significant role in the area, causing above average accumulation of rainfall for the month of May. And the prospects for June include more of the same. When the major flooding event occurred on May 27, FPVSP helped make sure that park users were notified and exercised the courtesy of taking a break from the park to let personnel assess for damages and make sure the park was safe for users. This was especially important as media attention was focused on flooding in Catonsville and Ellicott City.

As it happened, the downpour of rain and flooding, with the resulting damage was the second catastrophic event in less than two years. As also happened previously, Ellicott City's clock turned out to have floated away in the flood waters. Fortunately, pieces were found about a mile away from the town on River Road. FPVSP board member Dave Ferraro helped in the recovery of the clock.

The Ellicott City clock is loaded into a pickup truck.

Unfortunately, one of the organization's major fundraisers, Cocktails for Trails, which had been scheduled for June 7, had to be postponed and rescheduled to August 2. The event will still be held at Elkridge Furnace Inn. This will allow volunteers and the organization to devote resources to cleaning up and helping affected neighbors. By the way, if potential donors are looking for ways to help in the wake of the flooding, this is one organization that will utilize your donations completely for the needs of the park. Clean-up costs money and does take a toll on equipment, so they could use your contributions.