Lions Conservancy Park Records
Collection
Identifier: Mss 300
Scope and Contents
The records of Michael Benson document his work in creating and maintaining the Lions Conservancy Park. They are primarily comprised of email correspondence and handwritten notes. The records are organized into five series: Development, Meetings, Correspondence, Subject Files, and Membership.
The Development Series consists of records relating to the physical development and maintenance of the park. It is the largest series in the collection with six folders.
The Meetings Series contains documentation from meetings. Primarily comprised of Benson‟s handwritten notes from meetings of the Lions Club, River Keepers, and others, the series also includes printed meeting agendas.
The Correspondence Series contains letters, publications, and memos as they relate to the park. The content of the documents covers the scope of the organization.
The Subject Files Series holds all documentation not specific to any other series. Included are Benson‟s handwritten notes, newspaper articles, and events held at the park. Added later (2011) by Mr. Benson is a file related to the addition of four bat houses in the park by Adam Lewis as his Eagle Scout service project. The file includes a brochure he developed „Bats of North Dakota,‟ letter from Lewis to the Lions Club, color copy of Lewis‟ Power Point presentation regarding the project, as well as a CD containing the brochure and the Power Point presentation.
The Membership Series contains documentation of members on the park committee. The series includes contact information and officers.
Dates
- 1999-2005
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Copyrights
The Institute owns the copyrights.
Biography
Michael Benson was born in Montevideo, Minnesota. He graduated from Moorhead State University and, in 1971, began a career with Hartford Insurance Company. He joined Warner and Company, another insurance firm, in 1974, where he continues to work. He is the past president of the Fargo Independent Insurance Agents Association is also a member of the Fargo Lions Club. As a member of the Lion‟s Club, he was the driving force behind the creation of the 16-acre Lions Conservancy Park in Fargo, North Dakota, at the confluence of the Red River and Rose Coulee. The address is 1221 El Cano Drive South. The park was dedicated on May 12, 2000.
The park is currently managed by River Keepers, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and upkeep of the Red River and its parks. The organization‟s website provides this vision statement for the park.
“The Lions Conservancy Park is intended to demonstrate to the public through active and passive plantings, displays and signage, the natural environment of a riverine system. Incorporating some of the existing non-native plantings will provide a unique opportunity for area residents to compare and contrast native and nonnative environments. The park will provide for both formal and informal educational opportunities and will serve as a mini-laboratory. The facility will be designed and managed to demonstrate and educate the public about plants, wildlife, and the unique environment surrounding the confluence of Rose Creek and the Red River” (http://www.riverkeepers.org/pdf/lcp_fact_sheet.pdf)
Extent
0.4 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Michael Benson's papers document his work in creating and maintaining the 16-acre Lions Conservancy Park in south Fargo, North Dakota, at the confluence of the Red River and Rose Creek.
Provenance
Donated by Michael Benson, 2006 & 2011 (Acc. 2802).
Separation Record
Photographs (Acc. 2802)
35 photographs of the park‟s development, and 1 negative of the park‟s development
35 photographs of the park‟s development, and 1 negative of the park‟s development
Property rights
The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Michael Benson’s Lions Conservancy Park Records
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu