July 27, 2022 |
Saratoga Town Council last week moved forward on plans to finish Never Forget Memorial Park after voting to kill a land deal that would have allowed for a larger design.
Work order 16691-02 calls for a request for proposal on curb and gutter at the park. The scope of the job will change as a result of a new design.
Councilwoman D’Ron Campbell made a motion to approve the RFP “with a change order that will occur” because the park will need to be reconfigured. The conceptual design included 14,864 square feet of private property adjacent to the park will now be excluded from park as a result of rejecting a land swap with the owner for other town property. The 0.3 acres would have largely accommodated parking and traffic lanes, not green space.
Councilman Jon Nelson seconded Campbell’s motion for the sake of discussion on how to move forward on the project.
Pictured above: File photo of Saratoga Town Hall. Photo by Emma Diercks/Bigfoot 99.
Public Works Director Jon Winter told council that some of the redesign work already has been accomplished.
Discussion revolved around moving bathrooms to the south end of the park and making other minor adjustments in light of losing 0.3 acres of space.
Almost forgotten for the politics, backroom real estate deals and public fights over the project is the reason for the park—a memorial space in honor of Staff Sgt. Tyler Pickett, who was killed in Iraq. Some remember the Saratoga High School graduate as a happy, patriotic and dedicated young man who loved his country. He wanted to return to Wyoming after retiring from military service. A monument will be installed in his honor at the park. The unveiling is planned for September 3rd. Stacey Crimmins with the Platte Valley Arts Council, the organization behind the sculpture, has been dealing with the uncertainty around the park. Crimmins responded to the latest development and perhaps another delay.
Local artist Sierra Smith created a large, spherical sculpture destined to be the centerpiece of the park. Smith is known for incorporating discarded and found materials into her works that reflect the material world and culture of where they originated. Her piece memorializing Sgt. Pickett is viewable from any angle. According to a new release, it includes barbed wire, large rusted iron rings and metal forged and hammered into shapes representing parts of Pickett’s life, such as a cowboy hat and Army helmet.
With a little more than a month to go before the slated unveiling, Crimmins is working with the town on all options to meet the deadline.
It may even be impactful enough to put the politics and hurt feelings that surround the memorial project at this point into perspective, and bring people together to finish the park.
Related: Saratoga Town Council keeping Tyler Pickett Park in sight
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Related: Local youth group raises $500 for Tyler Pickett Park bringing donations tally up to $9K
Related: Tyler Pickett Park committee grows, design up for discussion
Related: Saratoga creates steering committee for Tyler Pickett Park
