Madison Park donor returns to Washington

WASHINGTON — Sandra Jones Baird, who donated the land that now comprises over half of Madison Park, returned to the spot to bury her mother’s ashes there and speak with city officials on Wednesday.

“I think it looks lovely, I think they did a better job than I expected,” said Sandra Jones Baird, who donated the land in her late mother’s memory several years ago. “When I first came around the corner I was a little apprehensive because I knew the house wouldn’t be there, but then I saw how great it looked, and you’ve got a new station and everything, so it fits. So I hope people enjoy it.”

Baird said turning the lot into park space was the right call, after her childhood home was left uninhabited with her parents’ passing.

“That seemed like the right thing to do with it,” she said. “I have sweet memories of this place, but it would have been a problem eventually. We’d have to get someone to do the snow, mow the yard and all that stuff, so it’s better this way.”

Mayor Jaron Rosien said the project had upsides for everyone involved.

“Sandy lives on the West Coast, and by donating this property and being generous in that fashion, she received some benefit, I’m sure, to the tax situation,” he said. “And the city received benefit from storage in the garage, and we handled demolition of the home that was not suitable at that time. It was a win-win.”

Rosien said the project was a point of pride, after several years of waiting while the space was used for much-needed storage.

"I learned a lot of lessons during my time as mayor, patience is one of them,“ he said. ”my first year as mayor I wrote about this property being donated and how perfect it would be to expand the park into this area … it was an objective lesson on how even with great motivation, projects take time.“

Washington Parks Superintendent Nick Pacha said he was happy with the city’s newest public space.

“It’s a great addition to the current Madison Park, it expands the green space here near downtown and by city hall,” he said. “It’s a nice addition to a main thoroughfare through town. It turned out great, it gets a lot of traffic and it’s nice to have.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com