The Splash Pad at Wilber Park project, spearheaded by the Future for Oneonta Foundation in collaboration with the City of Oneonta, is a transformative community initiative designed to enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. This project will replace the outdated kiddie pool in Wilber Park with a modern, interactive splash pad, offering a safe, inclusive, and engaging water play experience for children and families.
A game-changing development is on the horizon for downtown Oneonta! Future for Oneonta Foundation, Inc. (FOF) has secured an option to acquire 33 Dietz Street, paving the way for an all-weather, multi-purpose community space that will serve as a permanent home for the Oneonta Farmers Market and more. This bold initiative is set to bring new energy, economic growth, and year-round vibrancy to the heart of Oneonta.
Future for Oneonta offers grants for non-profits in three areas:
Arts and Culture – The Future for Oneonta Foundation supports groups that promote arts and culture activities for the citizens of Oneonta. Projects supported by the Future for Oneonta Foundation include art exhibitions, plays, ballet and musical performances. The Future for Oneonta Foundation values the contributions that arts and culture bring to our community.
Beautification – Making Oneonta a beautiful place is a second key area of focus for the Future for Oneonta Foundation. The Future for Oneonta Foundation works closely with area groups to improve the overall appeal of the City of Oneonta. In the fall of each year the Oneonta Garden Club hands out daffodil bulbs to area residents to plant in their yards to add some color to springtime in Oneonta. This annual daffodil project has become a favorite for area residents. In June of each year the Oneonta Garden Club plants annuals and perennials on Main Street to add color to Main Street. The Future for Oneonta Foundation also recently donated $50,000 to the Susquehanna Greenway to create a paved trail from behind Damaschke Field to the Main Street entrance of Neawha Park.
Community Engagement – The Future for Oneonta Foundation loves supporting groups that plan and promote events that are open to the public. There are many wonderful community events in Oneonta and the Future for Oneonta Foundation’s mission supports funding those events that bring our community together.
The Properties of Merit program has been sponsored by the Future for Oneonta Foundation with support from the Daily Star for 30 years. A committee of community members selects properties for consideration each year. The categories vary from year to year based on what the committee sees when they are out selecting properties. Past categories have included-residential (town and city), landscaping, most improved, historic, curb appeal, business, commercial and new business. The committee selects properties in the summer and the community votes on properties in September. Winners are notified mid-October and winners are presented with awards at the Future for Oneonta annual reception held in the late fall each year.
