The Robert E. Meyers Park in Harrison Square was dedicated last Friday, August 14, 2009.
Press release from Parks and Recreation:
Mayor Dedicates Robert E. Meyers Park
Mayor Tom Henry and Board of Park Commissioners President Richard Samek were joined by the Meyers Family, representatives of Harding High School Science Club and Parks staff as they dedicated the City’s newest park. Named the Robert E. Meyers Park, the 1.5 acre park is an integral part of the downtown Harrison Square Development project, which includes Parkview Field.
“This exceptional park wouldn’t have been possible without the Meyers’ generous $300,000 donation,” said Mayor Henry. “And it’s fitting that a downtown park should be named for Robert E. Meyers – he cared about this city and served it well during his term as Mayor.”
The Robert E. Meyers Park project was designed collaboratively by City Landscape Architect, Alec Johnson and the LandPlan Group, a Fort Wayne landscape architecture firm. The park features include an interactive fountain, a performance stage, and a 300 seat open-air amphitheatre. The park is beautifully landscaped with ornamental grasses, shrubs, and ornamental trees.
“Donations like this one from the Meyers’ family are so important to help us continue to build our park system,” said Samek. “From our very start as a city, civic-minded leaders and philanthropists have given gifts and green space for community use.”
Samek thanked the Harding High School Science Club who raised $1000 for trees to “Green Up” the park. Their contribution is the first for a Robert E. Meyers Park landscaping endowment, which is open for other donations. For more information on how to contribute to the maintenance of the trees and landscaping in this Harrison Square park, call 427-6024.
While he was Mayor in 1954 -1959, Robert E. Meyers was a leader in the city’s efforts to annex suburban areas surrounding Fort Wayne. The city nearly doubled in size from 18 – 35 square miles during his tenure, resulting in the extension of water and sewer lines. Southgate Plaza, the city’s first major shopping center, opened, as did the Wolf & Dessauer Department store downtown and Lutheran Hospital. Essex Wire moved its headquarters to Fort Wayne and two television towers were erected on the northwest side of the city.
Former Mayor Meyers passed away in March 2007, but one way his name will live on is through the legacy of the Robert E. Meyers Park.
httpsv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmaSk11SUKk
httpsv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8-KVMKyKsE
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VERY NICE!!! Thanks for the pictures all in one place for our family.
Joanna Meyers
You’re quite welcome, Joanna! It’s a beautiful park, especially at dusk!