Fort Scott, KS – Fort Scott Community College will soon begin improvement work around the campus pond. The project will include placing rock along the dam on the north side of the pond to prevent further erosion and repairing the dock located in the northeast portion of the pond.
To allow the work to be completed safely, the north portion of the walking trail will be temporarily closed at the end of November into the first part of December. FSCC will notify the community when that section reopens.
The walking trail is one of the most frequently used community spaces on the FSCC campus. Families, students, employees, senior adults, people walking their dogs, and individuals of all ages use the trail for exercise and recreation. Many community members also enjoy fishing around the pond and using the dock.
Providing a safe and welcoming place for people to walk, exercise, fish, and spend time outdoors is one of the ways FSCC supports the health and quality of life of the community it serves. The trail has become a core part of the connection between the college and the Fort Scott community.
This project also provides an important example of how private donations benefit the college and community.
Many gifts made to the Fort Scott Community College Foundation are designated by donors for a particular purpose. A donor may choose to support scholarships, an academic program, equipment, student activities, athletics, campus improvements, or another project that is meaningful to them. When a donation is designated for a particular purpose, the Foundation and college must honor the donor’s intent.
The initial work around the pond is being made possible through a private donation designated for this project. It is not being paid for through the college’s regular operating budget.
After this phase is complete, the FSCC Foundation plans to launch a matching-gift campaign to help repave the entire walking trail. A private donor has committed to match donations made to the campaign, allowing community contributions to have twice the impact.
Individuals, families, businesses, alumni, and other supporters will have an opportunity to contribute to a project that is enjoyed by the entire community. Additional campaign information, including how to make a gift, will be announced as plans are finalized.
Private support allows FSCC to improve its campus and complete projects that might otherwise be delayed or funded through limited college resources. When donors fund an eligible improvement, it can also reduce pressure on the college’s general budget and allow unrestricted resources to be considered for other institutional needs through the regular budgeting process.
FSCC appreciates the community’s patience while this work is underway and is grateful to the donors whose generosity is helping preserve and improve this important community resource.