Park and rec board would like wall for memorial plaques

The policy for benches in Central Park was one item addressed by the Fairfield Park and Recreation Department Board of Directors Monday evening.

During a brief discussion, the board concluded its ideal recommendation would be to establish a memorial wall for plaques in the park; however, the board will leave decisions regarding the current memorial bench controversy to the Fairfield City Council and Fairfield Beautification Commission.

According to park and rec director Derik Wulfekuhle, the benches are to be replaced with new benches and the memorial plaques are to remain in their existing spots.

Board chairman Terry Cochran raised the question of what the policy should be when benches are no longer functional or when benches have been vandalized. He suggested when a bench needs to be removed, the memorial plaque could be transferred to a donor?s wall.

Cochran believes a wall is a more permanent and secure place to ensure all the memorial names remain honored. He said a wall provides one place for the city to maintain and lasts longer than benches, which are susceptible to vandalism and time.

?The safety of our patrons comes before a memorial 50 years old,? he said, referring to the poor state of some of the older benches.

A wall would be the best way to avoid stepping on anyone?s toes regarding such a sensitive subject should any benches become an issue in the future, Cochran said.

The board did not take any action Monday, but said it would be willing to provide input to the city council and beautification commission if asked.

Crews began removing the park?s 20 benches today. The benches will be stored in the street department?s maintenance area while families of those memorialized are contacted. Families have the option of taking the bench or permitting it to be moved to another city park.

Also at Monday?s meeting, the board accepted Clayton Sander?s request to withdraw from his property lease for the BMX racing track at O.B. Nelson Park.

For the complete article, see the Tuesday, July 7, 2009, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.