Sat Feb 11 2012
by Laura Freeman
Reporter
Hudson -- Council didn't have to look far for a park name that would celebrate veterans and tie into the location of the park on Veterans Way.
Council on Aug. 24 decided on the name Veterans Way Park, which is what many people already call the 38-acre park straddling Veterans Way in downtown Hudson.
Council could approve the name as early as Sept. 1.
Council previously rejected the park board's recommended name -- Seneca Woods, suggested to honor a Native American tribe that once lived in the region.
The park board had asked for citizen input and received 57 names and picked Seneca Woods out of a final five choices, which included Dante Lavelli Park, Village View, Veterans Way, Freedom Park and Seneca Woods.
Council members rejected that name June 2, saying they preferred a veterans-related name.
"I want a more appropriate name aligned with the street the park is on," said Council President David Basil.
Council formed a subcommittee to create a list of new name choices, which included Memorial Park, Freedom Park, Veterans Park, Independence Park, Liberty Park and Patriot Park.
Although the name "Veterans Way Park" was not on the list, the project has been referenced by that name from the beginning, and a majority of Council members called it Veterans Way Park when they approved their choice of name.
Council member Doug Hasbrouck pointed to the legislation topic on the agenda, which read "Naming of Veterans Way Park," and said, "It's already named Veterans Way Park."
Council members agreed that the name should reflect the location of the park and reference veterans.
In April, Park Superintendent Eric Hutchinson estimated the city would spend $1.2 million to develop the north side of the park. He did not have an estimate for the south side.
Plans for the park include a playground, restrooms, boardwalk, sand volleyball courts and a 25-car parking lot on the north side of Veterans Way.
The south side will have basketball courts, a shelter and additional parking in addition to the existing skateboard park and parking lot. Trails are proposed for both sides of the park.
Floyd Browne Group is developing the plans, which have reached 75 percent completion, said Communications Manager Jody Roberts.
In April the cost of construction drawings was $162,000, which will be paid from the park fund.
The project designer will develop a more accurate cost estimate in the next couple of weeks, Roberts said.
Work would begin in the spring of 2011 and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011.
Leadership Hudson, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hudson Clocktower, is raising funds for the playground on the north side as a community project.
The group hopes to collect $175,000.
Chair Roger Steel said the group has collected $10,000 in cash with $5,000 pledged and will be selling components, such as slides, benches, engraved fence rails and engraved paver bricks to raise more funds.
Hudson Community First, which sponsors projects for the community's youth, is raising $200,000 for the features on the south side. Co-chair Laura Gasbarro said they have raised $10,000 so far and residents can learn more at www.hudsoncommunityfirst.com.
E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150
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