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NRPF Chair Fran Mainella
Officially “Launches” Foundation at 2007 NRPA Congress

Indianapolis, IN – September 26, 2007 - Speaking before the General Session of the 2007 NRPA Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana, on September 26, National Recreation and Park Foundation Chair and former National Park Director, Fran Mainella, announced the Foundation is now officially “open for business.” She was introduced by fellow NRPF Board of Governor and most recent NRPA past Chair Ron Lehman. The other Board of Governors, Bob Farnsworth, Lois Finkelman, and Eric O’Brien, were also present at the General Session.

During her address, Mainella stressed how the foundation would play a key role in generating the necessary resources to continue moving the parks and recreation movement forward in the future. She announced that, “It Starts in Parks…Children Back to Nature,” is the theme for the inaugural year of the Foundation and noted the theme underscores the Foundation’s plans to join the effort to address the crisis of sedentariness facing all Americans, most tragically the young.

She also noted the Foundation now has:

  • A logo
  • A website: www.NRPFoundation.org
  • An extensive planned giving program
  • An Administrator, Craig Richardson, to handle the day-to-day affairs

Finally, she explained the Foundation is now actively seeking donations and called upon those in attendance to consider joining her in making a planned giving gift to NRPF.


Ron Lehman, NRPF Governor and former NRPA Chairman, welcomes NRPF Chair Fran Mainella to the podium during the 2007 NRPA Congress General Session.

2007 NRPA General Session participants listen to NRPF Chair Fran Mainella announce that the Foundation is now “open for business.”

NRPF Chair Fran Mainella addresses the 2007 NRPA Congress General Session about upcoming plans for the National Recreation and Park Foundation.

NRPF Board of Governor Lois Finkelman and current NRPA Chair stands between tennis greats Billie Jean King and Mary Joe Fernandez during the 2007 NRPA Congress.

NRPF Board of Governor Ron Lehman, center, is joined by former tennis professionals Billie Jean King and Mary Joe Fernandez.

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