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    Home Archives Mount Jewett park is an effort to revitalize hard-hit borough
    Mount Jewett park is an effort to revitalize hard-hit borough
    Archives
    December 22, 2006

    Mount Jewett park is an effort to revitalize hard-hit borough

    By FRAN DE LANCEY Era Correspondent

    MOUNT JEWETT – Mount Jewett’s Heritage Park could be a giant
    step forward as the borough copes with hits to its economy caused
    by devastating fires and the extensive damage to the Kinzua
    Bridge.

    The park is located on a corner lot at 1 East Main St., the site
    of the former Commercial Hotel, and across the street from the old
    post office, where a large colorful mural grabs the attention of
    motorists traveling east on U.S. Route 6. The park’s area measures
    125’x 60′.

    Occupying a prominent spot in the beautifully landscaped park is
    the large wooden gazebo with a shingled roof. The park now has nine
    family memorials, most of which are marked by either granite or
    flagstone benches, and inlaid signature bricks, purchased by family
    members.

    Borough Council President Dick Danielson, a retired educator and
    coach who was born and raised in Mount Jewett and is familiar with
    the town’s history, spearheaded the effort to bring the project to
    reality, calling the attraction a “beautification park.”

    Danielson said, “Mount Jewett has gone through more than its
    share of bad luck. We had buildings burn down and the damage to the
    Kinzua Bridge, and we felt we needed something to brighten the
    spirits of our residents.”

    When Danielson joined borough council more than two years ago,
    the borough was attempting to dispose of the property where the
    park is now located by taking ownership through eminent domain, and
    Erik Ross, the solicitor at that time, had already begun the legal
    work.

    But, Danielson said that he believed there was a better method.
    He talked to the owner of the property and asked if she would
    consider conveying the property to the borough. After some time in
    negotiations, the owner said she would consider that proposal on
    the condition that the borough pay back the money she paid in fines
    after being cited for the property’s condition. An agreement was
    reached.

    With that information, Danielson worked with Ross to draw up a
    deed, and the borough took possession of the property.

    The demolition of the building brought the number of condemned
    buildings in town down to two.

    Danielson said that since the borough couldn’t afford to develop
    the park project, he decided to secure memorial contributions.

    “I thought if we could make it a park based on memorials, we
    have a better opportunity to raise the money,” he said.

    Danielson discussed his ideas for the park with Dave Conklin, a
    landscape architect, who owns Kane Lawn and Garden. A short time
    later, Conklin showed his drawings to Danielson, who was very
    impressed.

    When the initial site work began, it didn’t attract much
    attention, according to Danielson.

    “At the beginning, people didn’t really know about the project,
    and I don’t think there was a lot of concern. However, as they
    learned more about the plans for the property, we had a lot of
    support.”

    The bricks are placed on a four-inch base of concrete. Grout
    will be applied between them, which will stabilize them and make
    them more attractive.

    To the rear of the park is a parking lot covered with crushed
    limestone. In back of the flagpoles and trees, also at the rear of
    the park, are the foundations of the old Commercial Hotel.

    “We kept all those stones and made a wall, which serves two
    purposes. Not only is it attractive, but also diverts rainwater
    that comes off the hillside to Gallup Avenue and a catch
    basin.”

    Early plans called for a pavilion to be part of the park, but
    when Danielson and Conklin traveled to Plumville to a company that
    makes gazebos, they were impressed with what they saw. The gazebo
    won out.

    “We told the company how big we wanted the gazebo because it
    would be used for many activities such as concerts, celebrations,
    weddings and also contribute to the revitalization of the
    community,” said Danielson. “It is really two gazebos put together,
    making ours the largest one the company has ever made.”

    The gazebo is a memorial to Edmund Howard.

    Temple-Inland has been the largest monetary contributor to the
    park, said Danielson, who declined to divulge the amount. For that
    generosity, Temple’s marker has been placed in the middle of the
    park.

    The memorials started with the family of the late Anna
    Turnquist, who died recently. Danielson referred to her as “the
    ‘matriarch of Mount Jewett’ because she was instrumental in almost
    any activity that occurred here in my lifetime.”

    Turnquist’s daughter, Mary Ann, came back to Mount Jewett this
    summer to attend a West-End reunion, and that time Danielson
    informed of the plans for the park. She indicated her willingness
    to get add a memorial in her mother’s name.

    Other family memorials include those for Ed Kocjancic, Harlan
    and Alice Danielson, De Lancey Huston, Mixes, Diane Sluga,
    Lantz-Holmberg and Deweys. Judy Zalina purchased a flag stone bench
    and a brick in memory of the Olson family. The bench is to be
    placed in the park in the spring.

    A memorial from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars
    honors the men and women of the military.

    There are 125 signature bricks in the park now, and there are
    more to come, according to Danielson.

    “Many people have told us that they would like to be part of the
    project and buy bricks, and some of them do not even live in town
    or were raised here. Others will become involved. There’s no doubt
    about it. This will continue to evolve.”

    When that expansion is necessary, there is a location on the
    left side of the parking lot where another concrete slab can be
    placed to handle additional bricks.

    One addition has been made to the park. Steps have replaced the
    original walkway, which Danielson said was steeper than he
    preferred, since it could make walking risky in the winter when it
    would be covered by ice and snow.

    “The steps that Dave built make a beautiful addition,” Danielson
    noted.

    While most of the work in the park was completed in November, a
    few small jobs remain to be done. For one, grouting will be applied
    between the regular bricks on the walkway.

    Danielson explained the choice of “Heritage Park” for the
    name.

    “This park is located on Route 6, which has been designated the
    Heritage Corridor. ‘Heritage’ means things of the past, and this
    park, in many ways, represents much of our past, so we thought that
    was an appropriate name.”

    To date, no activities have been held at the park. Borough
    officials had planned to have a program that included a band, local
    and state governmental officials, and representatives of families
    who have memorials in the park, but that event was postponed due to
    a long period of bad weather in October. An official opening will
    probably be held in the spring.

    Pointing with obvious pride to the park, Danielson said, “This
    is what I consider the beginning of the revitalization of our
    town.”

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