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Parks committee narrows Johnny Appleseed statue locations after public feedback
Summary
After soliciting public input, the Sunbury Parks and Recreation Committee identified two preferred placement options for the 11-foot Johnny Appleseed statue and asked staff to prepare site work and a concrete base and to arrange a visual mock-up if possible.
The Sunbury City Parks and Recreation Committee on Aug. 6 reviewed public feedback on where to place a donated Johnny Appleseed statue and directed staff to prepare the concrete pad and site work needed to install the statue.
Committee members and staff told the committee that two placement options — labeled Option 2 (near the crosswalk at the top of the hill) and Option 4 (slightly farther down the hill with visibility from Granville Street) — drew the most public support. Amber, parks staff, said the installed statue plus base and pad will be roughly 11 feet tall and that staff would consider clearing some underbrush and planting one or two apple trees to improve sightlines and scale.
Why this matters: committee members emphasized scale and visibility. Several members said placing the statue too high on the hill next to taller structures would make it appear oversized; moving it down the slope would better match the pedestrian and roadway sightlines. The committee discussed balancing visibility from Granville Street with a comfortable scale for people walking the trail.
Most discussion focused on sightlines and the concrete base. Amber said the contractor would need the site location so staff can pour the concrete pad; she also said staff would ask whether the contractor can temporarily place an 11-foot mock-up so the committee can visualize the statue before final placement. Committee members confirmed they preferred a location that was visible from Granville Street but not perched directly on a corner where the statue could startle passersby.
No formal vote to adopt a specific site was recorded during the meeting. The committee directed staff to coordinate with the service team and the contractor to prepare the concrete base, to clear limited brush where appropriate, and to report back with a visualization or mock-up if the contractor can provide one. The committee discussed scheduling the ribbon-cutting and formal welcome once the statue is set.
Next steps: staff will check with the service team and the contractor about mock-up availability, prepare the concrete base, and schedule installation; the committee expected that installation could be completed within 30 to 60 days if the contractor and site work align.
