Washington City unveils George Washington Plaza, statue; partners and fundraising announced

Washington City dedicated the new George Washington Plaza on a spring evening, cutting the ribbon and unveiling a George Washington statue created by sculptor Jerry Anderson.

The plaza dedication, held as Washington City kicked off its annual Cotton Days celebration, brought city and county officials together with youth council members, the artist and Utah Attorney General Derek Brown. Jordan Hess, legislative affairs director for Washington City, opened the ceremony: "My name is Jordan Hess, legislative affairs director for Washington City, and we're excited to welcome you all to the the brand new George Washington Plaza in Washington City." The event included remarks about the plaza's symbolism from members of the Washington City Youth Council, the ribbon cutting and a musical program.

The ceremony highlights the first completed phase of a planned pocket park built on what Mayor Chris Staley described as a 0.6-acre remnant parcel created by a recent road realignment. Staley credited a collaborative funding effort for making the project possible: the city council allocated "wrap funding," county commissioners agreed to contribute, and the mayor said commissioners "went in thirds" to help purchase the statue. Staley also said some Transient Room Tax (TRT) funds were used for the plaza beautification.

Youth council members explained elements of the plaza and the statue's symbolism. Katie Allen, identified as mayor of the Washington City Youth Council, summarized the cherry-tree motif and noted that Mount Vernon considers the cherry-tree story fiction: "This enduring tale sets a standard of morality that all of us should aim for, as George Washington. Even though he did make a mistake, he told the truth to his father." Maylee Belknap, introduced as the youth council's city manager, spoke about George Washington's interest in gardens and roses; Megan Kirk and Taylor Brown described other historical references incorporated into the plaza.

The sculptor, Jerry Anderson, spoke after the unveiling and described the work and his body of public art: "This will be my eightieth statue that I have down around Utah and possibly 1 of my better ones." The plaza dedication included a formal ribbon cutting with Lamar Miller, honored as the 2025 Cotton Days grand marshal.

Attorney General Derek Brown placed the plaza dedication in broader historical context, calling America's founding "an experiment in self government" and praising George Washington's willingness to relinquish power after military service and after the presidency: "America has always been 1 great, large, groundbreaking experiment, an experiment in self government, an experiment in the rule of law, and an experiment in liberty." Brown's remarks were delivered as part of the public program and were not tied to a formal legal action involving the city.

Officials said the current work represents the first phase of a larger plan for the site and described a community fundraising effort to complete additional phases. The city displayed a ring of commemorative bricks called the Pathway of Patriots and announced a sale price of $177.60 per brick; an alternate commemorative amount of $1,776 is also accepted. Jordan Hess was listed as the contact for purchases (jhess@washingtoncity.org). Staley said the bricks and other donations will help fund future landscaping and interpretive elements that will highlight local agricultural history and the site's connection to nearby road and canal infrastructure.

No formal council motions or votes were recorded in the ceremony transcript. The event combined ceremonial elements, youth council-led interpretive remarks, a public fundraising solicitation, and the statue unveiling. Officials invited residents and visitors to return to the plaza and to attend Cotton Days events at Veterans Park the following weekend.