The AMA Foundation is excited to announce that it has been awarded an enhancement grant from the Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation! The $13,000 grant will be used to further beautify areas in front of the AMA Headquarters building and near the National Model Aviation Museum. The grant funding can only be used for the front section of AMA's property.
The largest project will be replacing railroad ties in the flight demonstration area behind the museum. Multiple railroad ties in that space encapsulate a gravel area from which visitors can safely watch flight demonstrations. Throughout the years, the ties have broken down and split, causing tripping hazards for those who venture out back.
Earlier this year, a new grass runway for flight demonstrations was created through a portion of a $140,000 grant awarded to the AMA Foundation by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC). This IDDC grant was also used to purchase new picnic tables and additional seating for that area.
The AMA Foundation team believes that replacing the railroad ties will further beautify the flight demonstration area and build upon the improvements already made through the IDDC grant. It will also make the area safer for visitors and students watching flight demonstrations.
The remainder of the Zeigler grant funding will be used to replace a large tree near AMA's main pond that fell in 2025. Visitors and employees alike enjoyed sitting under the old tree on hot summer days. The tree will be replaced with a large, well-established tree or a set of smaller trees. One of the new picnic tables has already been placed in that area.
The Zeigler Foundation has committed to supporting additional beautification projects at the front of AMA's property. The AMA Foundation is thrilled to have a new community partner that sees the value of what AMA brings to Delaware County and the state of Indiana.
For any questions about the utilization of Zeigler grant funding, contact AMA Foundation Deputy Director at rachelleh@modelaircraft.org or (765) 287-1256, extension 221.
