(La Porte, IN) - A plaza at Fox Park in La Porte is being named after a longtime member of the community.

 

The Maria Fruth Plaza will be dedicated at the site of the new structure between the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheatre and Clear Lake.  The dedication is scheduled at 6 p.m. on June 17.  Afterwards, the community is invited to join the La Porte City Band for a concert honoring Fruth and her years of contributions to the community.

 

Fruth served as President/Chief Executive Officer of the Health Foundation of La Porte from March of 2016 until her retirement in April of 2024.  HFL granted more than $50 million in grants throughout La Porte County for things that promote healthier lifestyles such as trails.

 

Prior to that, she was Executive Vice-President/Chief Executive Officer of the La Porte Hospital Foundation for over 20-years.

 

“We appreciate the guidance and support Maria provided to our department in park improvements and recreation programming,” said La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber.

 

The plaza was part of the Fox Park renovations funded by HFL in 2023.