Friends of Ferrum Park was on campus to watch Recreation Professor Dan Caston’s class present their recommendations for the location of park amenities.

“The REC 415 class came on our radar after the Board of Directors of Ferrum Park reach out to, and met with, college faculty interested in the Ferrum Park project,” Secretary of the Board of Directors, Kathy Champney said. “Offering experiential learning opportunities for Ferrum College students is important to the board. It is the intention of Friends of Ferrum Park to develop working relationships with a variety of local, state, and national groups.”

Four different groups presented with topics such as playgrounds, an entertainment amphitheater, a Farmers Market Pavilion, and the RV Park.

“The Board enjoyed all of the presentations. They were all very well done,” Champney said.

Before the process begins where the park is actually built, FOFP thought it was important to meet with people at the college to gain their perspectives.

“It was important to hear from the students for several reasons, including the fact that Ferrum Park borders Ferrum College, and it is important to the Board to gather input from a variety of demographics,” Champney said.

Champney added that working with the college was a win-win.

“The college students are afforded the opportunity of learning exponentially, and the community benefits from the students’ thoughts, ideas, and questions,” she said.

The benefit FOFP has seen with partnering with the college has made the group want to come back in the spring.

“The Board looks forward to working with additional classes in the spring. In addition, the board has offered a variety of internships to Ferrum College students,” Champney said.

There isn’t a firm date as to when projects will begin on the 83 acres of land FOFP owns, but Champney assured there will be projects in the works soon.