Five Years at PFOHC: Growth, Gratitude, and a Lot of Pop-Up Tents
This month marks five years since I stepped into the role of Executive Director of the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County. It’s a milestone that has given me a reason to pause and reflect on how much this organization has grown, and how many hats this job requires. Some days it’s strategy and spreadsheets. Other days it’s pop-up tents, branded t-shirts, and a very strong sense of humor.
When I began this role, PFOHC had a strong mission and a lot of untapped potential. Over the past five years, we’ve focused on building the capacity needed to support that mission in a bigger way. Thanks to generous community support and strong partnerships, we are now able to award more grants and invest in more parks and trails across Hendricks County than ever before. Watching these projects move from idea to reality and knowing they’ll serve families and neighbors for years to come, never gets old.
None of this growth happens without leadership, and our Board of Directors deserves special recognition. They are truly a driving force behind everything we do—supporting me, donating generously, giving their time and talent, and helping set the strategy that guides our work. Their trust makes even our most ambitious goals feel possible, and I’m deeply grateful for their commitment to both PFOHC and to me.
A key part of our progress has also been the continued partnership with the Hendricks County Community Foundation. Working alongside their team has strengthened our organization and helped position PFOHC for long-term sustainability, allowing us to focus on growing our impact and serving our community well into the future.
Another major milestone during this time was completing PFOHC’s first strategic plan. With the guidance of Hedges, we took a thoughtful look at who we are, where we want to go, and how we can best serve our community. The process brought clarity, focus, and a shared sense of direction, and the plan now serves as a roadmap for our decisions, partnerships, and priorities moving forward.
We are also deeply thankful for the continued support of Hendricks Regional Health. Their partnership and generosity play an important role in advancing our work, and their commitment to health and wellness aligns closely with the mission of PFOHC. Parks and trails are powerful tools for healthy communities, and their support helps us expand that impact throughout Hendricks County.
And finally, a special thank-you to Banning Engineering. In addition to being a generous donor and supporter of PFOHC, they have gone above and beyond by providing space for what can best be described as the physical inventory of running an organization—boxes, banners, pop-up tents, signs, and things we are absolutely going to need someday. Their practical support, flexibility, and good humor have made a real difference, and they are simply a joy to work with.
Last, but certainly not least, at the heart of this work are the park leaders across Hendricks County. Not to brag, but we have some of the very best park professionals leading our parks and trails. They are strategic, smart, resourceful, collaborative, and it’s a bonus that they are also genuinely fun to work with. Their leadership, creativity, and commitment are the reason our parks and trails continue to thrive. It turns out the show wasn’t wrong—parks people really are some of the best people around.
As I celebrate five years with PFOHC, I’m incredibly thankful for the many individuals, organizations, partners, donors, and supporters who have lifted us up along the way. While it’s impossible to name everyone, please know that every contribution—big and small—has played a role in helping us grow and serve our community.
I’m proud of how far we’ve come and excited for what’s ahead. It’s an honor to continue this work alongside so many people who believe in the power of parks, trails, and outdoor experiences.
Cheers to five years!
Katy