When Donna Britton’s family was considering memorializing her life, they
thought of the Parke County Community Foundation. Leighton Britton had previously
served on the board of directors and appreciated the impact donors were making in Parke
County. As a result the family chose to fund the renovation of the Bloomer House
grounds, one block north of the courthouse square as a tribute to Donna’s life and
memory.
The design for the Donna Britton Community Garden will remain consistent with
the historic heritage of the Foundation’s 1863 home. The garden will be available as an
informal gathering place for the Parke County Community. Leighton said that his wife
“would be pleased to know that we are creating something for the community that can be
enjoyed for generations.” A space memorializing Donna will be part of the garden.
“This is wonderful way to memorialize Donna’s life,” says J. T. Jukes,
Foundation board president. “It will additionally provide a downtown park setting for
the public to enjoy a sack lunch or some contemplative time away during a busy day.”
The Community Garden will incorporate several improvements to the Bloomer
House physical property. These include:

• Paver walkways, consistent with the home’s civil war era.
• Additional parking (8-10) spaces on the north side.
• A handicap entrance on the building’s eastside with additional parking
for the disabled.
• A shelter/gazebo feature for related activities.
• Low maintenance landscaping throughout the facility.
• Historic lighting (3) on the property’s west and north side.

“Mr. Britton’s generosity has allowed the Foundation to make some needed renovations
to our facility that we could otherwise have never considered”, says Executive Director,
Brad Bumgardner. “Leighton & Donna’s heart for Parke County will allow the
community to enjoy our facility without spending any foundation operating dollars for
these improvements. Sidewalks, parking, and a handicap access would have had a price
tag of several tens of thousands of dollars. The Britton’s gift will make it possible for the
Foundation not to have to add outdoor maintenance dollars to our operating budget for
decades.”
Work is being done in stages and is scheduled to be completed by summer, 2009