Historic Growden Memorial Park recommended to state for National Register nomination

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Special Historic Preservation Commission voted 4-0 on April 2 to recommend Growden Memorial Park for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

Commissioner John Poirier moved that the commission recommend the park as eligible “under criteria A and B,” and Commissioner Martin Gutowski seconded the motion. The motion passed by roll call vote with four yes votes and no opposition.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Office of History and Archaeology for final action. Staff said the chair would sign the commission’s review report form that states the property’s eligibility at the national level under the two criteria cited in the motion.

During the discussion, Commissioner Patty read comments submitted by Commissioner Matt Record that urged stricter documentation and citation in the draft nomination. Patty read Record’s concern to the commission, noting that “the draft nomination contains lots of assertions of fact without evidence,” and said Record offered to help with revisions. Other commissioners praised the depth of the research and said they were impressed by newly documented facts about the park’s origins.

Commissioners also clarified place-name details raised during review; one commissioner asked whether the park fronts First or Second Avenue and staff and members confirmed it is located on Second Avenue. Staff said the state historical office representative, Katie Ringsmith, had offered to work with Record to finalize the draft.

The final motion the commission read into the record stated in part: “I move that Groudon Park is eligible for the national register under criteria A and B.” The chair pro tem then called the roll and recorded the unanimous 4-0 result. The commission instructed staff that, if the commission votes to move forward, the acting chair would sign the review report form before submission.

The recommendation is advisory: the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Office of History and Archaeology will review the commission’s report in its nomination process. The commission’s vote and the staff-signed review report will become part of the nomination record submitted to the state office.

Votes at the meeting: motion to recommend Growden Memorial Park for nomination to the National Register — moved by Commissioner John Poirier, seconded by Commissioner Martin Gutowski; outcome approved, vote tally 4-0.