The Friends of Jefferson Park met at 7pm on Monday, March 26th at 2108 East Leigh Street.

From Bill Conkle:

The first order of business was a discussion of the erosion problem on the park hillside. Elaine Odell reported that the City had made a temporay fix to the hillside and had put in a budget request for addition money in 2008 and 2009 for a more permanent fix. Elaine was following up with the City to ensure that money would be available for a permanent stabilization of the hillside, including the re-building of the stairwell and cobblestone pathway connecting Jefferson Park with Marshall and Cedar Street. Elaine agreed to monitor the situation and notify the FOJP if attendance was needed at a meeting to support funding for this project.

The next order of business was a discussion of an Historical Marker commemorating the building of the train tunnel under Jefferson Park and telling the story of the horific tunnel collapse in 1925. Bill Hartsock reported that a fundraising campaign would be undertaken in the next few months to raise the approximate $1500 needed to purchase and erect the historical marker. A second Historical Marker telling the story of Jefferson Park would be undertaken at a later date.

Next the group discussed needed improvements to the park, including: replacement of the broken water fountain behind the bandstand; installation of new Fitness Trail equipment; Repairing the park’s sidewalks; and Replacing burnt-out bulbs in the park lighting on a regular basis. Bill Conkle agreed to contact Recreation and Parks about these issues.

Next the group talked about the trees in the park and were reminded that DPW/Urban Forestry had agreed to do tree maintenance in the park this summer. There was also the need to do a major tree planting in the park to replace trees that have been lost to storms and disease.

Next the group discussed having a joint “picnic in the park” with the Union Hill Civic Association. A contact will be made with Lora Toothmann to work out the details of this social event.

Julia Stokes then presented information on a park clean-up. She agreed to do some additional research on when city support would be available, and will set a date and market the clean-up to park supporters.

If you have an interest in joining the Friends of Jefferson Park, please contact Bill Conkle at junkifunki@aol.com or calling 649-3764. There are no dues to join the Friends of Jefferson Park, and everyone with an interest in the park is invited to attend our meetings.