Broadway Park Dedication Ceremonies

This past Saturday, August 8, 2009, starting at noon dedication ceremonies were conducted for the rehabilitated Broadway Park in Wellsville, Ohio. The papers called it a rededication and that's correct. There were dedication ceremonies held well over 100 years ago when the park was first put in. Before that there were railroad tracks running down the middle of the street. A collage of snap shots of various stages of how the park looked were on display. There were maps showing the location of trees the many donars sponsored plus a list & location of the paver bricks that others sponsored.

Wellsville Mayor Joe Surace was the Master-of-Ceremonies. Surace was instrumental in the formation of the former Broadway Park Committee back in 2005. Once appointed the all volunteer committee took off planning their strategy and raising funds.

Rev. Darlene Zanders offered the invocation to begin the ceremonies.

Surace honored Girl Scout Samantha Smith for her many hours of volunteer work she has done in the helping in the park and the village. Still today she is a volunteer helper in Springhill Cemetery.

Melody Martinez entertained the audience singing a couple of meaningful songs. She closed out the ceremony leading all present singing God Bless the USA.

Division of Forestry Lola Lewis spoke on all that has been accomplished by the committee. Lewis has long been an adviser for the group. The Div. of Forestry is part of Ohio's Dept. of Natural Resources.

Former resident Joe Russell, owner of the Russell Tree Experts Company in Worthington, Ohio, briefly spoke on the role he & his company played in rehabilitating the park. Among other things Russell was the consulting arborist for the committee. Russell is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Pete Russell.

Village Administrator Jim Saracco advised the audience that for the first time for who knows how long all the fountains in town were working as of July 31st. That includes the Boy-with-the-boot, at 17th St. & Main plus the Broadway Park fountains. Saracco praised the work and devotion of Village employees Kevin Fullerton & Dave Rawson for all they did getting the fountains working and maintaining them.

Committee member Dawn Johnston and Robert's Funeral Home owner offered brief remarks. See article below. Robert's Funeral Home provided the sound system, podium and chairs for the ceremony. Johnston was the chief organizer for the event.

Refreshments were served following the dedication ceremonies. The good Lord must have been looking over Broadway Park last Saturday. It wasn't too long afterwards that it started to sprinkle rain.

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