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Volunteers request on‑site storage for Peace Bell garden tools; city staff to review options
Summary
Volunteers who maintain the Peace Bell contemplative garden asked the council for a closer storage location for rakes and hoses; parks staff said the request could be handled through park planning and that several storage options, including modest low‑profile onsite storage or use of a nearby building, will be considered.
Volunteers who maintain the Peace Bell rock garden told Oak Ridge councilors they currently store rakes and hoses off‑site and asked the city to provide a nearby location to reduce logistical burdens and make regular garden maintenance easier.
The volunteer group described quarterly signups and an established maintenance routine begun after training sessions led by visiting experts. Volunteers said they currently keep tools at the Unitarian Church and sometimes at the History Museum but want an on‑site solution that preserves the garden’s aesthetic and supports volunteer access.
Why it matters: The Peace Bell and its associated contemplative garden are a public amenity used for memorials and civic events; volunteers provide upkeep at no cost to the city. A nearby, low‑profile storage solution could reduce volunteer burden and support continued maintenance.
Discussion and staff response: - Volunteers asked for a modest storage location near the garden to house rakes and hoses, noting the current arrangement requires volunteers to collect tools and transport them to the site. - City staff said the parks master plan for Bissell Park is under review and that staff will evaluate options that preserve aesthetics. Staff noted possible short‑term options such as storage at the History Center, but said some museum storage requires keys and is less accessible to volunteers. - Councilors suggested low‑profile, site‑appropriate storage integrated with existing benches or walls to avoid visual intrusion.
Next steps: Parks and recreation staff will examine feasible on‑site designs that balance access and aesthetics and report back to council on options and costs. The History Center has offered temporary space, but volunteers and staff preferred an on‑site solution that would not require multiple keys or off‑site pickup.
Ending: The council asked parks staff to return with design and siting options for a volunteer tool storage solution that preserves the garden’s visual character and supports continued volunteer maintenance.
