MCCF is focused upon the future of the Muskingum County community. One way the Foundation became involved in improving the quality of life for youth in the community was by establishing the Community Youth Foundation (CYF). At a group meeting, CYF members identified the lack of recreation and social activities as their number one concern for our community.
One CYF member characterized how young people spend a weekend evening in the following manner:
"We go to the mall and hang out until it closes. Then we go to the K-Mart parking lot where the snow cone place is and hang out until the cops come and kick us out."
At the April 25, 2007 meeting of the MCCF Board of Trustees, Trustee Rob Joseph initiated a response to our youth's lack of organized recreational and social opportunities by forming a Task Force to pursue funding for a facility for our youth. In September, news came that Armco Park was for sale and the MCCF Board of Trustees felt this could be a great opportunity to improve the quality of life for all in our community.
At the January 2008 meeting of the MCCF Board, the Trustees voted to purchase Armco Park. On April 25, 2008, one year to the day from Rob Joseph's expression of concern, MCCF purchased Armco Park through funds from an anonymous donation, the Longaberger Quality of Life Endowment Fund, the Muskingum Family Y and the Foundation's general fund.
MCCF immediately leased the property to the Muskingum Family Y to provide recreation opportunities for Muskingum County residents while it pursues partnerships with community organizations and lays the groundwork for a future fundraising campaign.
Confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.
