Sprayscape Dedication
June 5, 2003
Read Opening Remarks by
Supervisor Steve Mann
Photographs from
Sprayscape Dedication
Opening Remarks by Supervisor Steve Mann
Thank you for wanting to be a part of the dedication for
your Plymouth Township Sprayscape. By participating with us
this afternoon you are taking ownership and showing support
for what continues to be known as A FAMILY FRIENDLY hometown.
As we start I want to acknowledge your Township Board Members
with us today. (Introduction of Board Members)
I also want to recognize our Township employees who have
direct responsibility for making sure that your Township Park
is ready and available for your use whenever you visit: Phil
Kozian, Timothy Smith, and Peter Dilworth.
Twenty years ago the Plymouth Community Arts Council, working
in partnership with the Plymouth Canton Community Schools,
brought to Plymouth Township Peter Rockwell, world renowned
sculptor and son of Norman Rockwell, to create a display of
public art. Those sculptures have brought many smiles to the
faces of children in our community. Rockwell, living in Europe
at the time, spent several weeks living in our town, getting
to know us, and letting us appreciate the need to understand
art as a part of our everyday lives.
The concept of partnering between the Arts Council, Schools
and Plymouth Township - Between young and old - Between the
new and the old; is a lesson that we can all learn from. Just
as this Sprayscape was a partnership between our children who
helped select the features – our families – our taxpayers –
and our government.
When your community can partner - the results can be
outstanding.
In 1995 nearly 1,000 residents joined together for a week of
hard work, sweat and tears as they built the Playscape. From
start to finish the project was accomplished in seven days.
That one event has provided a play area and fond memories for
thousands of children in the 8 years since.
Families were taking ownership of their park and their
community and the result was outstanding. The process of
involving neighbors in the building of a sense of community
worked.
Just two years ago, during the 5th annual Fourth of July Good
Old Fashioned Picnic children voted on some of the features
they wanted to see as part of this new Sprayscape.
Again families were taking ownership of their park and as you
can see – the result is outstanding. And again the process of
involving neighbors in the building of a sense of community
worked.
If you had been in the park this weekend you would have seen
hundreds of families enjoying the Playscape, holding cookouts,
walking the trails, and getting an advance peak at the
Sprayscape. It is truly wonderful watching the smiles on the
faces of our children, and the enjoyment of parents as they
play with sons and daughters.
It is appropriate that we ask all of the children here today
to stand alongside me at the ribbon cutting ceremony – to be a
part of history as we once again continue to make a statement:
Recreation is important. Family activities are important. Our
children are important. Let us never forget that our children
have but one childhood and it is important to do all in our
power to make it the best possible.
Within this 80 acre park children and families can host
parties, swing on the Playscape, go sledding in the winter,
fish in the summer, or enjoy a lazy walk throughout the entire
park – relaxing and enjoying a little bit of nature.
In the coming year we will open a nature center in the
northwest corner and open a skating rink for your winter
enjoyment.
But this is not the only sign of progress in Plymouth
Township. Lake Pointe Soccer Park is underway and will open
next year. Miller Family Park continues to be a draw for a
great number of Township families.
And soon we will be announcing details for a new Township Hall
on 9.5 acres of land complete in a park-like setting.
Something that has been talked about, fussed over, and delayed
for over a decade. But we have taken citizen input, asked for
suggestions, researched various sites, and are finally in a
position to move on the idea.
And we do all of this with the lowest tax rate in all of Wayne
County. Believing that services and programs and good
financial management can help build a family friendly
hometown.
Again, thank you for being part of the Sprayscape dedication
with us today. Now lets get in place to cut the ribbon and
officially open our Sprayscape.
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