FOUNDATION BOARD
The Fargo Park District Foundation has gone through some exciting changes in the 2022 year.
In November, I accepted the role as the first full time Executive Director of the Fargo Park District Foundation. Previously, the role had been performed by Brian Arett who shared responsibilities between the Fargo Park District Foundation and Valley Senior Services as Director of both entities. Brian previously announced his plans to retire at the end of this year after 40+ years in leadership with Fargo Parks.
In 2018 when the Foundation was formed, Brian stepped in to lead our newly formed organization in a combined role. We appreciate all of the ground work that Brian provided for leading the Foundation and the road that he paved. He helped secure over $42 million dollars in donations/gifts and for Fargo Parks Sports Complex and Island Park Pool projects. Thank you Brian.
2022 was a banner year for our Foundation and I look forward to even more success in 2023! Thank you to our Foundation Board, Fargo Park Board and staff for the strong support of our Foundation. I am excited to continue working with the community to raise funds and awareness to the amazing projects that the Fargo Park District is working on.
Thank you,
Mike Erickson, President Sanford Health
Kali Mork, Vice President Fargo Moorhead CVB
Melissa Brandt Marketing, Executive & Project Based Contractor
Stacey Griggs Apartment Movers, Inc.
Jerry Rostad Fargo Parks Board Member
Chad Marsden, Treasurer Focus Property Management
Rock Messerschmidt Bell Bank
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Craig Bjur Executive Director Fargo Park District Foundation
FOUNDATION STAFF
Craig Bjur Executive Director Fargo Park District Foundation
FARGO PARKS
Construction on the Fargo Parks Sports Complex is currently underway with the facility scheduled to open in Spring of 2024. The Fargo Park District’s vision is for a destination facility with
for over 20,000-plus local kids and 20-plus local community organizations to use regularly.
SPORTS COMPLEX
indoor space
provide
private donations MILLION $32.65 in-kind donations MILLION $10 • 1 Full Size Indoor Soccer Turf Field • 8 Multi-Purpose Hardwood Courts • Indoor Walking Track • Multipurpose Community Spaces • Indoor Playground and Party Room • 6 Indoor Pickleball Courts • Ice Facility featuring 2 Ice Sheets • Sanford POWER AMENITIES INCLUDE: VISITORS 1M EVENTS 60+
The Fargo Park District expects its Fargo Parks Sports Complex to
a true multi-purpose space for Fargo residents and the surrounding communities and will be one of the largest recreational facilities in the Midwest.
With the Fargo Park Board’s recent finalization of the Island Park Master Plan, work is now moving forward on the design of the Island Park Pool Project in downtown Fargo, ND. The Fargo Park District has undertaken extensive research and community input as we plan for a replacement pool at the current Island Park Pool location. A centrally located summer fixture, the Island Park Pool has served the community in its current design since 1977. As the pool and fixtures are nearing the end of their lifespan, the Fargo Park District plans to update the facility in order to continue to serve the community through recreation, leisure and athletics.
ISLAND PARK POOL PROJECT TIMELINE ISLAND | PARK POOL Fundraising now Naming and Sponsorship Opportunities Available Construction begins Spring 2023 Facility Grand Opening Summer 2024
• 50 Meter Competition Pool • Diving Boards & Platform • Lifestyle Pool • Lazy River AMENITIES INCLUDE: • FlyTyme Slide • Tube Slide
MATCHING GRANTS
Built agility features such as ramps and hurdles for dogs to be able to run up and down and jump over
Fargo Youth Baseball ATTIC
The Fargo Park District Foundation Matching Grant Program is intended to encourage partnerships between the Fargo Park District Foundation and organizations throughout the community by providing means to sponsor projects with the Fargo Park District. Below are the Matching Grant Recipients in 2022.
Nicholas Dawson, Eagle Scout Brandt Crossing Dog Park
Fargo Post 2 Legion Baseball Jack Williams Stadium
1st and 3rd base bullpens updated, leveling of the playing surface and installation of new sod
Additional cages to accommodate program growth in youth baseball
OUR WORK $10.1 MILLION RAISED IN 2022 MILES OF TRAILS 124 OUTDOOR POOLS 5 USERS 90,000 ACRES OF PARKLAND 2.4K ICE 3 ARENAS GOLF COURSES 5 32,000 ROUNDS + • 1st Place Top 5 Award • Top Fundraising Organization Of The Year • $1.4 Million Raised for Giving Hearts Day • 2nd all time in dollars raised in Giving Hearts Day’s 14 year history • 1st Place Fundraising Growth Award • Honors outstanding performance of the 2022 Giving Hearts Day campaign 2 large donors from past years have given additional gifts of over $1Million in 2022. NAMING OF CORNERSTONE BANK ARENA
SCHEELS EMPLOYEES DONATE POOL PASSES
The Fargo Park District Foundation received a donation from SCHEELS employees to benefit the Fargo Park District’s Youth Scholarship Program.
Through the Youth Scholarship Program, the Fargo Park District strives toward serving the needs of all citizens regardless of income level. The goal of the Youth Scholarship program is to serve low and moderate income families in Fargo by providing opportunities that allow financially disadvantaged youth ages 18 and younger to participate in general recreation programs.
This donation from SCHEELS employees allowed 100 children in our community to access the Fargo Park Districts five outdoor pools all summer long.
“Active lifestyles and helping kids develop those skills are something that really resonates with our associates and it really shows in their willingness to donate to this program,” said Molly Stanley, SCHEELS Human Resource Specialist.
YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
100 OVER LOCAL CHILDREN RAISED $6500
2022 DONORS
Aaron Hill
Adam Pankow
Alden J Hvidston
Alerus Bank
Alex Silbernagel
Alex Stern Family Foundation
Alex Sumner
Alexis Swenson
Alison Dye
Amber Blomberg
Amy Cusher
Amy Hass
Andrea Haugen
Angela Skyberg
Anonymous
Arnold Stebleton
Ashley Bosh
Ashlynn Wagner
Autumn Branca
Barb & Jim Johnson
Barry Amundson
Becky Bakke
Bekey Hicks
Bell Bank
Bell Bank - Pay it Forward
Beth & Erik R. Johnson
Beverage Wholesalers
Blake Nelson
Border Bank
Border States Electric
Brady Blomberg
Brandt Family Ventures
Brandy Chaffee
Brenda Kava
Brent & Michelle Hella
Brett & Sara Olson
Brian & Stacy Roney
Brian Arett
Brian Halverson
Bright Futures Learning Center
Broc Lietz
Bruce Furness
Camrud Foss Concrete Constr.
Carissa Stirling
Carolyn Boutain
Chad Marsden
Chelsea Gilster
Christianson Companies
Chuck & Dorothy Erstad
Cole Papers
Corey Henry
Cornerstone Bank
Courtney Buskirk
Craig Bjur
Dan Feir
Dana Woodruff
Daniel Armbrust
Daniel Ness
Darin Daby
Dave Bietz
Dave Leker
David Berg
Dawn Boom
Dawn Morgan
Debra Laber
Denise Geffre
Denise Musland
Dennis Hoff
Denny Stinar
Dick Solberg
Doug Huber
EPIC Companies
Erin Gigstad
Erv & Linda Inniger
Fargo Angels Hockey Club
Fargo Youth Hockey
Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau
First Western Bank & Trust
Fred Williams
George & Kaye Topp
Geraldine Flaig
Greg McCullough
Greg Selbo
Heather & Brandon Hanson
Hector Foundation
Howard Dahl
J. Patrick Traynor
Jason Schmidt
Jeff Schatz
Jennah Kelly
Jennifer Thompson
Jerry Rostad
JLG Architects
Jody Norstedt
Joe Deutsch
John Nelson John Pierce
John Rader
Jon Machayya
Juli Muehler
Juli Munro
Julie Oster
Justin Gravalin
Kali Mork
Kari Thompson
Kathleen Bergseth
Katie McCormick
Katie Nilson
Kayce Halley
Kevin & Lora Elfstrum
Kevin Boe
Kim Burud Kim O’Neil
Kimberly Peterson
Korianne Mortenson
Kory Shae
Kramer Stuth
Kris Overby
Kriss Burns
Kristy Soular
Kvalvog Family
Larry & Linda Brooks
Laura Alderman
Lee Schwartz
Leonid Vilenski
Lisa Brown
Lisa Giese
Lora & Brent Stebleton
Luke Evenson
Luke Ouradnik
Luke Robertsdahl
Lyle & Claire Marie Bjur
Madisen Anderson
Marcil Family Foundation
Marjorie Olson
Mark Carlson
Mark Honzay
Marsh McLennan
Maureen Bartelt
Maureen Bucholz
MBN Engineering
McKenzy (Olson) Braaten
Melissa Brandt
Melissa Christianson
Melissa Zuel
Michael & Jayne Gust
Michelle Killoran
Michelle Swanson
Midco
Mike & Nichole Erickson
MinnKota Recycling
Nancy & Bill Wey
Nancy Slotten
Oliver Finneman
Otto Ferrie
Pace Maier
Patricia Horner
Paul Ferrie
Paul Ostby
Reed Stock
Richard Wiemken
Robert Schultz
Rock & Brenda Messerschmidt
Roger & Nancy Gress
Ross Manson
Roxanne Keene
Roxanne Mairs Ellis
Ryan & Chrissy Nelson
Ryan Duval
Ryan Kava
Sandra Horner
Sanford Health
Sanford POWER
Sarah Knutson
Scheels
Scott Holdman
Scott Holman
Scott Krabbenhoft
Scott Seiler
Shayna Mertz
Stacey Griggs
Stacy Stenerson
Stephanie Bares
Steve Miller
Steve Myers
Steve Young
Sue Nilson
Tadeusz Komorowski
Tammy Bernhardt
Tara DuBord
Tara Nielson
Terry Porter
Terry Vandrovec
Tim Jacobson
Tim Mathern
Timothy Mahoney
Tina Amerman
Todd Medd
Tom Barnhart
Tony Eukel
Town & Country Credit Union
Trisha Bothum
Vicki & Steve Dawson
This list represents the donors who gave in the calendar year of 2022 and before. If your name is not on this list but should be, please let us know. All donors are very important to us.
MISSION & PURPOSE
Our Mission is to enhance the quality of life in the metro area through the development of modernized facilities, new programs and by offering great opportunities for all in the community.
Our Purpose is to pursue unique fundraising opportunities and increase private sector support to further the development, growth, and excellence of the Park District in providing modernized facilities and quality recreation services.
701 MAIN AVE | FARGO, ND 58103 FOUNDATION OFFICE (701) 551-5890