"For over 40 years, Prairie Lands Foundation has accepted gifts from local citizens and converted the funds into Fairbury quality of life improvements. Only a few towns with a population of 3,800 can boast six public parks, a swimming pool, a modern library, miles of walking trails, and nature preserves. Many thanks are owed to the many people who donated to Prairie Lands Foundation and the skill of the trustees in wisely spending those funds to improve the quality of life for Fairbury citizens."
Dale Maley, FairburyNews.net article
July 6, 2024
Full FairburyNews.net Article
Prairie Lands Foundation Historical Timeline
1950s
- 1958: The first swimming pool in Fairbury was built in 1958 by the Fairbury Swimming Pool Association (the organization that will later become Prairie Lands Foundation)
1970s
- Late 1970s: Civic leaders learned that a Fairbury family was looking to donate to a local non-profit but no suitable organization existed at the time. They realized that Fairbury needed a non-profit organization that could use locally donated funds to continuously improve the community and act as a resource for nature conservation.
1980s
- 1980: Fairbury Swimming Pool Association faces high repair costs for swimming pool maintenance.
- 1981: Swimming Pool Association forms a study group to examine the operations of the Peoria Forest Park Foundation which had a mandate similar to the one that the civic leaders wanted to create. Subsequently, the Fairbury Swimming Pool Association changes its name to Prairie Lands Foundation with a mission "dedicated to promoting charitable community projects and developing educational programs, public spaces, and the conservation, preservation and beautification of urban and rural areas in McLean, Livingston, and Ford counties."
- 1981: The Nature Conservancy purchases Sunbury Railroad Prairie; Prairie Lands Foundation later takes ownership.
- 1982: Marion Stafford donates farmland for a new swimming pool and community center; Prairie Lands Foundation sells the land and the Stafford Community Center is built.
- 1989: Prairie Lands Foundation (PLF) receives a donation from the Gertrude Brady estate.
- 1989: John P. Wade, owner of Keck's Insurance Agency, and his wife, Tula, bequeath 75% of their estate to Prairie Lands Foundation.
1990s
- 1997: Prairie Lands Foundation and the City of Fairbury begin planning a new park located along North First St. Coming up with a funding solution that did not involve taxpayer funds, PLF donates the swimming pool to the City of Fairbury that enabled the city to apply for and secure a state grant for matching funds to help finance a new park.
- 1990s: Marion Stafford donates funds for a walking trail at North Park. The City of Fairbury was able to get another matching state grant that allowed the trail to be expanded and connect the Prairie Central High School, located on 7th Street, to the swimming pool.
2000s
- 2001: Howard and Bernadine Fugate donate 120 acres of farmland and timberland to Prairie Lands Foundation. A "phenomenal" boost to the foundation's civic and nature conservation efforts. Founding board member, Jim Paternoster, recounted "This is the type of gift we envisioned when we created the Prairie Lands Foundation in 1981." Paternoster stated that Prairie Lands Foundation has always been interested in acquiring timberland somewhat close to Fairbury to develop into a recreational area and nature center, stating "This gift was just perfect".
- 2004: Screened-in pavilion at North Park is dedicated, thanks to donations from the Marion McDowell Stafford Charitable Trust and the John and Tula Wade Endowment Fund.
2010s
- 2009-2010: Prairie Lands continues to expand the walking trails to connect Fugate Woods and James Woods (donated by the James family) and adds steel frame bridges to enable continuous access from the walking trails to the nature trails located within the woods.
- 2012: Prairie Lands Foundation matches donations to the Dominy Memorial Library and SELCAS building funds.
- 2016: Prairie Lands Foundation begins funding various projects with the Fairbury Improvement Group, including historic murals and park refurbishment.
- 2017: Prairie Lands Foundation receives a donation of acreage for Conrad and Catherine Munz Memorial Park and supports the expansion of the walking trail.
Due to the generosity of residents and civic leaders who donate their time and funds to make the Illinois prairie a wonderful place to live and raise families, Prairie Lands Foundation has played a crucial role in improving the quality of life in Fairbury over the past four decades through initiatives that encourage park development, conservation efforts, and community support.
Thank you all for the support.
