COHEN PARK PROJECT

Began in 1999, completed 2004. Two Mums decided to write a grant for new play equipment, their wish was met and the boxes began to arrive. Excavation followed and a local Dad made various flat areas to the park.

A sign was required to comply with the grant details, I offered to make one and the Town Board of Trustees accepted the offer.

Equipment was installed and gravel dumped, ready to be spread around the climbing frames and swings however there were no retaining walls to contain this loose gravel.

I acquired some discarded telephone poles and requested volunteers for two community weekends. Mums and Dads, Brother and Sister, many people turned up to help in the project. At the end we had walls to contain the gravel which now could be spread and provide for a safe landing around the equipment. All the materials used for the sculptures were collected from building and construction waste.

From town meetings to volunteer weekends. The local community has been involved in the making of the various works in the park.
The local school often has field trips to the park where students draw, photograph and paint after being inspired by the sculptures.

	Picture 1. The sign with flowerbed, to the left is the far eastern theme. Chinese words adorn the archway bestowing their message upon all who walk through. The words are strength, courage, peace, and truth. In front is the Japanese styled area with a cherry tree in center of standing stones.
			Picture 2. An Eastern look with a minaret standing tall. The half moon of Turkey sitting atop the column.
	Picture 3. Based more in the modern era of things and objects, this piece is a collection of auto, farming and plumbing parts. With the backdrop of the sky, I look up and smile as the piece gently sways in the breeze.		Picture 4. Standing central in the park and paying homage to indigenous peoples everywhere "totem of life" was carved from one of the trees in the park that died from pine beetle. Looking from the ground upwards, I begin with the crystal shape, fundamental to the earth's structure. A copper clad vase, symbolizing civilization holds flower and bird carvings symbolizing a delicate balance of life. The lower sets of protruding carvings are from the animal world with the upper carvings representing the mythological and dream worlds. The piece ends with blade / wisp like shapes of smoke, connecting the tangible world to the non-tangible world of sky, sprit and myth.
	Picture 5. Animal myth then people myth cover the upper totem pole section with lightning or root / arm shapes reaching out to other galaxies