New Board Member Spotlight: Ben Comer

This month, we're thrilled to introduce a new face on the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County (PFOHC) board: Ben Comer, Attorney at Law with The Abstract & Title Companies, lifelong Hendricks County resident, and dedicated advocate for parks and trails.

Ben was born at Hendricks County Hospital and raised in Danville, where his family has operated a local business for generations. After attending DePauw University and Valparaiso Law School, he returned to his hometown in 1996 to work in the family business and raise a family with his wife, Meg. "I'm a product of my environment," he says. "Blanton Woods in Danville has always been a favorite. I love the trail running and solitude, and my dogs have loved cooling down in the creek."

Ben recalls an early connection to supporting parks when he responded to a call for help from the Hendricks County Park Board and organized a group of friends to clean up McCloud Nature Park about twenty years ago. They cleared trash from a ravine that had been used as a dump and placed rip-rap to prevent erosion. "It was a very fulfilling experience," he says. Since then, Ben and his family have participated in many community events, including the first Parks-to-Parks county-wide run and Summer Fun Runs with their kids—for him, another great way to support parks and get outside.

While fly fishing Big Walnut Creek at McCloud, Ben shares a big carp swam right under his rod and into a limb, snapping the line. "I think it smirked at me as it swam by," he laughs. Another memory he cherishes is touring Blanton Woods with Mrs. Blanton herself when she was considering donating her land. “She was a spry 80-something who golfed multiple days a week and handled the terrain better than I did,” he says with admiration.

When asked why he said yes to joining the PFOHC board, Ben explains, "Serving on the Parks Foundation Board aligns with my personal worldview: serve my community where needed, and find a way to do it outside." He believes strongly in the restorative power of nature. "We live in a fast-paced society, with too much work, screen time, and stress. Our local parks can be a restorative outlet. They help us slow down, breathe, move, and reconnect."

Ben and his wife are now adjusting to their new status as empty nesters, but they continue to find joy in the outdoors. For Ben, supporting the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County is a way to give back and honor the role parks have played in his life. "I would tell others to remember how parks played a role in their development, and what role it continues to play in our communities. Parks are just as important now as ever, if not more so. Imagine a world without parks! That would be terrible. Donating is a great way to give back and honor the memories."

We’re excited to welcome Ben Comer to the PFOHC Board. His deep roots in Hendricks County, passion for community service, and genuine love for the outdoors make him a natural fit.