Hayes memorial design shown

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Conceptual designs have been crafted for a proposed memorial to Delaware native Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president of the United States in downtown Delaware.

Elements of the memorial may include a sculpture of Hayes with a diary; limestone walls with signage, donor recognition and personal and professional timelines; and a basalt fountain on a granite water table, which may represent the eight presidents of Ohio and include quotes.

Concepts were presented at the Delaware Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting Tuesday evening.

“I think it looks like a ‘Pokemon Go’ stop,” said chairwoman Allyson Lash, in reference to a location-based augmented reality game released released a few weeks ago.

The memorial would be placed at the corner of Sandusky and William streets next to Amato’s restaurant. The city currently has only a plaque to mark Hayes’ historical importance to the city. Over the years, there has been much talk of providing a more befitting monument to Hayes. The Rutherford B. Hayes Memorial Committee was formed earlier this year — and plans to meet at City Hall Aug. 4.

“It’ll be nice to see something fill that space,” said board member Joshua Bricker.

In other business, the board approved a recommendation for a naming policy presented by Ted Miller, director of the city’s Parks and Natural Resources Department. Miller said the need for such a policy was apparent when proposals were made to rename East Side Park after a recently deceased police officer.

The policy’s procedures include submission of a written recommendations, and petitions to Miller for consideration by the board. Recommendations should include why the name merits recognition. The board will submit its recommendations to City Council, which will allow public input and comment. Council would have the final say on the name.

Criteria for the naming parks will consider their geographic location, historical and cultural significance. Naming a park after a person would require that person to be deceased for at least three years and to have made a significant contribution to the community.

Another policy the board discussed were its meeting formats. The board attempted to have back-to-back subcommittee meetings in May but were essentially duplicates, Miller said.

Members came to a consensus to have reports from parks and the YMCA provide advance notice of their programs. A proposal to have a subcommittee for the Hidden Valley Golf Course was tabled for the next meeting.

Miller updated members about the Boardman Art Garden project near the downtown Delaware. The $1 million project is still in the conceptual stage, he said. The Northwest Neighborhood Association envisions using the 2.2-acre green space along Winter, Catherine and William streets, as a passive park. Members asked Miller to reach out to organizations now using the space (with permission from Delaware City Schools) to ensure they have accommodations during development.

A conceptual design of a memorial to Rutherford B. Hayes was presented to the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Tuesday. The memorial would be placed at the corner of Sandusky and William streets next to Amato’s restaurant. The city currently has only a plaque to mark Hayes’ historical importance to the city.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/07/web1_Hayes-2.jpgA conceptual design of a memorial to Rutherford B. Hayes was presented to the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Tuesday. The memorial would be placed at the corner of Sandusky and William streets next to Amato’s restaurant. The city currently has only a plaque to mark Hayes’ historical importance to the city. Courtesy illustration

By Brandon Klein

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Brandon Klein can be reached at 740-413-0904 or on Twitter at @brandoneklein.

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