Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Art Benches topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Library-backed carved benches planned; Parks Board to seek artists and sponsors
Summary
The Parks Board and the library plan a carved, themed bench for the library plaza with a QR-linked plaque; funding will come from multiple local sources and carvers may use city wood stock.
Parks Board members said the Ocean Shores Library supports a carved, themed bench project that would place an artist-carved bench at the library and possibly other locations around town.
Shelley Johnson, a Parks Board member, said the library is "100% on board" with a bench that would include a plaque and a QR code linking to a reading program. Johnson and Chris Bridges said they plan to contact local chainsaw carvers (Thor and Tony were named) and to explore whether leftover wood in the city yard could be used. City staff (Quita and Scott were mentioned) are checking whether yard wood is large enough for benches.
The board discussed fundraising: potential sources include the Parks Foundation, the beautification committee and the library foundation. Johnson said memorial plaques and sponsorship names would be listed on the bench plaque. "We're really super excited about this project," Johnson said.
No final artist contracts or construction dates were approved at the meeting. Board members said they will consult city staff about bench specifications and public-safety or durability requirements before soliciting artists.
Next steps: Parks Board members will coordinate with library staff and city contacts to confirm material availability and specifications, contact local carvers, and pursue small-scale fundraising to cover carving and installation costs.
