Centennial Park is on track to get a huge make-over that will include gardens, lighting, signage, benches, even the addition of inlaid chess/checker tables.
‘I think it’s going to look really sharp,? said Councilman Mike Hamilton.
Last week, council voted 4-1 to accept the Oxford Beautification Commission’s detailed list of recommendations to renovate the downtown’s only park contingent on the Downtown Development Authority giving its approval, which it did Monday night.
‘Our group has worked very hard on these (plans),? said Beautification Commission Chairman Joe Bullen. ‘We would like to move swiftly.?
‘I happen to really like this plan,? said village President Chris Bishop.
Highlights of the plan include:
n Removing the two gardens located at the park’s west end on either side of the gazebo and replacing them with grass to give people more room to sit and gather.
n Removing the two existing crab apple trees at the west end and replacing them with two large Locust trees.
n Moving the soldier statue and five stone war memorials to the southwest corner of the park to create a memorial garden, which would be landscaped using existing plants and shrubs from the eliminated gardens. The soldier statue would finally be given a permanent base upon which to sit.
n A walkway from the gazebo to the memorial garden would be created with brick pavers to enhance the entryway. A bench would be located near the garden to allow visitors to sit and reflect.
n Replace two existing back-less benches. Add two new back-less ones. A total of four new benches.
n Add two new concrete tables with inlaid chess/checker boards to the park’s northwest corner near the fence and sidewalk. Made from 5,000 psi concrete, Bullen said ‘they’re almost indestructible.? These tables are being paid for using a $2,351 donation from a donor who wished to remain anonymous.
n In order to give bands who perform for Concerts in the Park more space in the gazebo, the existing benches would be replaced with fold-up benches that drop down when needed.
n Purchase three hanging baskets for the gazebo and install a ‘drip hose? watering system to keep them moist during the summer months.
n Install one or two up-lights flush with the ground to illuminate the flag pole at night. ‘This is something we haven’t had and we sorely need to have a proper flag flying,? Bullen said.
n Each of the two large trees in front of the park will be illuminated by up-lights (flush with the ground).
n Develop a plan for a music system to accommodate Concerts in the Park.
n Replace the existing park sign in the southeast corner with one that includes lighting and a message board to highlight and promote upcoming events.
‘We believe that with the monies available we can accomplish all these things,? Bullen told council.
With the exception of the two game tables, the plan will be paid for using the $15,000 that the Orion-based Promark Properties, builder and owner of the new Centennial Commerce Center adjacent to the park, agreed in 2006 to pay the village in exchange for an easement.
Councilman Tom Benner cast the lone dissenting vote because he wasn’t pleased with the proposed location of the soldier statue.
Donated in 2005 by Oxford American Legion Post 108, the statue commemorates the 44 Oxford soldiers who died in battle from the Civil War to Vietnam.
Benner talked to some local veterans who fear the statue will be blocked by trees in the proposed location.
‘That’s almost going to hide that statue,? he said.
Benner indicated the veterans he spoke with would like the statue to be placed directly in front of the flagpole in the center of the park.
‘They feel that statue needs to be out in plain sight by the flagpole with a new mounting and I have the tendency to agree with them,? he said.
‘We have a lot of patriotic men that we pay respects to every year,? Benner noted. ‘I don’t think you’re paying them much respect when you hide a statue back in the corner of a park that is almost hidden from the street.?
Bullen disagreed.
‘To me, out in front of the flagpole for something like that is just the opposite of what I would desire,? he said.
Bullen, who noted he has a ‘great respect for the military? given he and his three brothers all served, pointed out that Centennial Park was ‘not set aside as a memorial park at all.?
The park is used for everything from weekly summer concerts and weddings to community events and relaxation.
Putting the statue in the southwest corner gives it a ‘quiet? place for people to reflect as opposed to the flagpole, which is closer to M-24 and therefore a noisy spot due to traffic.
Bishop supported the statue’s proposed location.
The village president said the monument’s current location (on the south side near the fence) does it a ‘disservice? whereas the proposed location is a ‘compliment? to it.
Placing the statue in front of the flagpole would cause it to become an ‘obstruction to how that park is currently used,? which is the ‘last thing anybody wants.?
Memorializing fallen soldiers is not the ‘driving force behind this park,? noted Bishop, echoing Bullen’s comment.
Having the statue in a memorial garden ‘gives an area for people to reflect on all the wars that have been fought and all the servicemen.?
Councilman Tony Albensi said the statue’s proposed location is designed to ‘highlight it,? not ‘hide it.?
‘I think it’s important for that statue to be a focus of that garden,? he said.
Councilwoman Teri Stiles expressed her concern about what type of a message sign the Beautification Commission had in mind for the park.
Barbara Fox, who serves on the commission, promised it won’t be ‘neon? or electronic with a scrolling message.
‘They’re not going to turn it into Vegas, I hope,? joked Bishop.
The sign which Fox personally favors has a metal frame similar to the park benches and features a double-sided display box in which event posters and flyers can be placed for public viewing.