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Blackford Greenway leaders ask commissioners to absorb upkeep as nonprofit seeks dissolution
Summary
Volunteers and Greenway board members asked the Blackford County Commissioners to help transfer maintenance and fundraising responsibilities as the Blackford Greenway nonprofit seeks to dissolve and turn operations over to municipal and foundation partners.
Marley Parker, an executive committee member of the Blackford Greenway, told the Blackford County Commissioners the nonprofit intends to dissolve and asked the county and city to take over upkeep and donation handling for the two-mile trail.
The request matters because the Greenway’s assets and routine maintenance are currently supported by a small group of volunteers and by periodic contributions from both the city and county. Parker said the group wants the Greenway to operate as a municipal program instead of a standalone 501(c)3 and requested “some kind of agreement so that we can dissolve the incorporation.”
Parker described the Greenway’s history and current operations: founder Fred Hoffman secured land and permits, volunteers mow and operate pedicabs, the city performs sweeping twice a year and has handled mower and trimmer maintenance since February 2024, and both city and county have carried liability insurance for the trail at least since 2021. Parker said recent county donations totaled about $1,500 over the last two years and private donations were roughly $1,000 annually.
Parker said the Blackford County Community Foundation has agreed to take the matter to its board and that the city’s parks department might operate the trail and serve as a hub for pedicab drivers if the nonprofit dissolves. She said the Greenway’s building that houses the mower and pedicabs sits on “Jim’s property,” and any future arrangement would need an agreement with that property owner to preserve storage if ownership changes.
Commissioners did not take formal action during the presentation. A county representative said they would “get with the city and the mayor” to explore options and to determine whether the city would accept maintenance responsibilities and insurance extensions.
Parker asked that commissioners help secure a maintenance agreement and clarify how incoming donations would be handled if the nonprofit dissolves, including whether donors would still be able to contribute to Greenway operations through a municipal or foundation channel.
The Greenway presentation combined historical context, current volunteer and municipal support details, and specific funding figures for recent years. Commissioners indicated staff would follow up with the city and with city leadership about potential transfer of maintenance and storage arrangements.
