DAVID F. BOLGER PLAYSPACE

Doing a World of Good by Improving the Quality of Life

From an early age, David F. Bolger demonstrated a strong work ethic. In his teens, he delivered newspapers, shoveled coal and snow, as well as did landscape work. While pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at The University of Pittsburgh, he worked nights in a steel mill. He also showed he was blessed with a big heart. At the age of 15, he donated the money he earned from a variety of jobs to The Watson Home for Crippled Children in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.

His giving spirit has continued for more than 50 years. As the President of The Bolger Foundation, a Trustee of The Wells Mountain Foundation, a resident of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and Longboat Key, Florida, he has generously supported many arts, health, conservation, religious and educational organizations with more than $100 million in philanthropic donations since 2000. “I have done many projects and always have enjoyed the impact upon people’s lives.”

Mr. Bolger is not only a dreamer, but a visionary who has built a successful career recognizing and seizing opportunities. After visiting The Ringling for the first time in 2008, he was so impressed with the property that he donated $1 million for the waterfront landscaping plan that has benefitted the local community. Mr. Bolger stated, “The Ringling Grounds represent a jewel in Sarasota. The Bolger Promenade and The Bolger Campiello represent a place where visitors gather to sit, enjoy the beauty of the landscaping and the bay, and contemplate life and their place in it.”

Now, once again in generous support for Ringling’s on-going development as an expanded Center for Art Education, David F. Bolger is funding the design and installation of The David F. Bolger Playspace, an interactive playspace designed for children of all abilities. Bolger’s gift was inspired by a need for the museum to attract families with an interactive space they could call their own, all the while creating access for children with disabilities. Mr. Bolger states, “It will give parents a space to go, to let their children’s imaginations run and help them enjoy the museum and perhaps bring some of their learning from the museum, into their own imaginative play. I believe it is going to be beneficial to increasing the enjoyment that children and families will have on the Ringling grounds. And I hope, provide a nice outlet for any extra clowning around.”

When asked about his legacy of improvements that have been made to the grounds Mr. Bolger responded, “It is not about the legacy, it’s about enhancing people’s lives and their experiences in regards to the world around them. I have given to many charities over the years, and always have tried to maximize the effect upon people, whether it is museum visitors or patients or students.”