Improvements for Foster Park
By: Nadia Bashir
Updated: July 1, 2009
A $250K donation from John and Julia Oldenkamp will bring improvements to Foster Park. Theres a love story behind the donation.
John Oldenkamp and his late wife Julia spent a lot of time in Foster Park. In his younger days, Oldenkamp took walks in Foster Park to clear his mind over problems at work. He considered Foster Park his "big office." Julia Oldenkamp enjoyed the park greatly as well. Oldenkamp described his wifes love for the park as her "footprint in time."
Oldenkamp required his donation be matched by the community. One of the projects to receive money from the donation is a pavilion which was one of the Oldenkamps favorites spots. The pavilion dates back to the 1920s. The money will be used to repair the roof, structural damage and to replace columns.
Total renovations for the pavilion will cost about $200K. Half of that money will come from the Oldenkamps donation. The community will have to match the other $100K. So far the City has received matching donations in the amount of $50K. Renovations on the pavilion will begin in the early fall.
If you would like to donate money visit the Parks and Recreation Departments website at fortwayneparks.org and click on donate.
