MOUNT VERNON — The city of Mount Vernon’s Shade Tree Commission took steps Monday night to move forward on beautifying one of the city’s mini-parks.
Scott Shremshock, volunteer architect for the commission, presented conceptual renderings of Chester Park, located at the intersection of North Division and East Chestnut streets.
Shremshock told council members he researched the neighborhood’s architecture as well as the city’s history in designing the concept for the park.
“These mini-parks are located in gateway positions across the city,” he said. “This will give an identity to these areas of the city.”
In all, there are seven mini-parks inside the city of Mount Vernon, Sharon Fair, commission chairwoman said.
Plans have already been established with Keith Chester, carpentry instructor at the Knox County Career Center, for students to build the gazebo and fencing proposed for the park.
“It will be a simple building,” Schremshock said. “It will be made from pressure-treated lumber. The deck and rail will be made from synthetic material made from recycled plastic to minimize maintenance, so that it is no burden to the city or the neighborhood at large.”
Although no figures have been established to the overall cost of materials for the project, both Schremshock and Fair ascertained there will be no labor costs through the KCCC.
“I think [costs] will be very attainable. The goal is very achievable,” Schremshock said when questioned about the cost of materials.
“It is difficult to answer (at this point),” Fair said. “It is our intention to stay within the current budget. We will only be paying for materials and there is an interest in area businesses (to help fund the project).”
Commission members said construction of the gazebo and fencing should begin this fall.
