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Community. It's a word often used, but its ramifications aren't often fully understood. When I think of the word community, I immediately think of my home in Decatur. I think of friends, family, neighbors, community leaders, the local restaurants and stores. When I think of community, I also think of the basic premise of people coming together to appreciate the company of one another and their surroundings.
After all our country has been through in the past several weeks, we're all starting to recognize the value of our communities. Community can take on a wide range of meanings both in a small and large sense. It is my hope that DNR property and recreational services contribute to this sense of community for each of you.
One of the most gratifying things I can hope to accomplish in my current position in state government is to be involved in forging state policy that strengthens communities throughout Indiana. And these policies work best when the state can partner with local government and the federal government to make them a reality.
A prime example of that all coming together can be seen in Congress's recent approval of $2.4 million in funding to continue work on the Ohio River Greenway Project. One day this project will create a seven-mile series of riverfront paths for walkers, bicyclists, and all outdoor enthusiasts young and old.
This tremendous project, which will serve as a gathering place for folks not only from Jeffersonville, Clarksville and New Albany, but also welcomed tourists and passers-by. It will provide a beautiful gathering place where the striking natural resources of the Ohio River can be appreciated for all their glory.
The fine folks who are involved in the Ohio River Greenway Project are certainly to be commended for their efforts to orchestrate this venture. Their efforts show that great things can happen when local citizens set a goal to improve their community and follow it through.
I am also always pleased as I visit communities throughout the state with a nearby state historic site, state park, or state forest and I hear from the local folks about how proud they are of their nearby state-owned property and the sense of community it provides.
So, the next time you venture to the mall, stop at your favorite coffee shop, or just visit a neighbor, think about your community. And the next time you and your friends take a hunting trip or visit a state park, think about how your surroundings help create that sense of community. Never forget that our natural, cultural, and recreational resources play a vital role in that important thing we call community.
And too, we must always be mindful to continue the resolve that each generation in turn only becomes the custodian rather than the absolute power of those resources --- and each has the obligation to pass this inheritance on to the future.
