Friends of Ouabache State Park started with a dream and a mission to honor
the state park’s past
Friends of Ouabache State Park began with a single purpose. One man had a goal to achieve, and he gathered others around him to make his dream come true.
When Wayne Lydy and his daughter Myra Myrtle walked into the office of Ouabache State Park manager Scott Crossley in 2012 with the idea of placing a statue to honor Ouabache’s strong connection to the Civilian Conservation Core (CCC), little did anyone conceive the organization that the Friends of Ouabache State Park has become.
It was decided that the avenue to raise the $25,000 necessary to obtain and install the CCC Memorial Statue would be to establish a non-profit organization. This involved gathering a group of people together, writing a set of bylaws and submitting it to the state for approval. The organization would be named the Friends of Ouabache State Park.
Once Step 1 was accomplished, funds could be raised. The group did a variety of fundraising activities, including the Bison Stampede, Christmas displays in the campground, canvasing local businesses and public engagements to publicize the project.
The original members of the Friends of Ouabache included Wayne and Dorthy Lydy, Neil Ainslie, Phil and Marcia Douglas, Carla Ivy, Rocky and Myra Myrtle, Kaye and Juanita Ivins, Kenny and Melba Edwards, Dave and Julie Lefforge, and Larry Herron. The group worked long hours, and in 2015, the Civilian Conservation Corps Memorial Statue was placed at Ouabache State Park. Landscaping and seating were to follow.
As the Friends gathered at the dedication, there was a great sense of accomplishment, but a question remained: What now? The group began to realize that there was so much more that could be done for the park. All the members of the group loved the park and wanted to continue to serve.
Ten years have passed quickly and on Oct. 21 current members and the public will gather to celebrate the 10-year anniversary. There will be displays and presentations highlighting the activities and accomplishments of the group. Some of the founding members are no longer with the group, but their spots have been filled with individuals eager to carry on their vision. Guaranteed, there will be laughter and a few tears as past years are honored, but also there will be excitement for the group’s next project.
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