news1@ulyssesnews.com
Alan Olson would be proud.
The City of Ulysses and Grant County Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon cutting for and grand opening of Unity Plaza during the May 30 Chamber Coffee.
Unity Plaza is a small “pocket park” at 108 North Main Street dedicated in memory of Olson, former Ulysses City Administrator who, along with Matt Medill, dreamed of such a park at that location. Medill is leasing the space to the city.
“They kind of got it going, well, then Alan died on us,” said Mayor Tim McCauley. “With that being said, Matt and I kind of got together, got a plan of what he wanted to do and kind of what the city wanted.”
The park as it is today is not the final product.
“I hope everybody comes out and uses it, that’s what it’s for,” McCauley added.
City Administrator Luke Grimes said city staff worked on the project for a long time.
“It’s beautiful and we’re really excited about it,” Grimes said. “When I began this job, this role, planning for this project was already well underway.”
He said when he first began his job, he found the mayor penciling the plans for the park on graph paper.
“He was determined to finish what Alan had started,” Grimes said. “I think that's important and really cool.”
When he returned to Ulysses from a more urban area, a creative and thoughtful public space such as this got Grimes excited.
“I jumped right on board helping to get it done,” Grimes said. “Making sure we did it well, did it right.”
Grimes emphasized what the park represents, saying while humans have created wonders, it has also created conflict, disagreements and war.
“Like the rest of humanity, Ulysses is not immune to these forces of human nature,” Grimes said. “It’s funny to joke about, but it’s also something I take really seriously.
“A house divided against itself can’t stand and if we aren’t careful, descension, gossip, and negativity will be the norm for our community.”
Grimes hopes the space will be a gathering place for everyone in the community to bring positivity to the community.
“I’m here to ask the community to join us in believing in something better for Ulysses,” Grimes said. “We’re fighting for a better future, not to avoid the hard conversations, but to face them in earnest, seeing the person behind the opinion and understanding they have a perspective just like you do.”
The park is a symbol of what the city is going to be about.
“It represents our resolve to press our community forward together,” Grimes said. “It represents our resolve to be unifying leaders, suppressing petty squabbles and staying focused on the bigger picture.”
Grimes said the community has a right to take pride in the place we live in.
“Small town America is the ideal place for many people to reside, to retire and raise a family,” Grimes said. “The stigma of bland, bickering, backwards small towns is just that - a stigma. But it’s also a self-fulfilling prophecy.
“Ulysses will only be that, if we accept it.”
Everyone in the community has a responsibility to demand better, he said.
“We’re doing better, we are,” Grimes said. “We can still do better. Hold us accountable, hold me accountable – your elected officials, your neighbors. Be a small force for progress, for peace, for positivity in our community. If a simple majority of us become agents of positive change, Ulysses, Grant County, our community will not be stopped.”
A plaque not only honoring Olson, but also those who donated to make the park a reality will be added.
In other announcements:
νChamber Director Marieta Hauser talked about the Boy Scout fundraiser for a new Pinewood Derby track.
“The track they have used is not able to be used anymore,” Hauser said. “It’s been damaged beyond repair; they need to get a new one.”
Contact Pam Hampton, Austin Meier or Claire Kepley.
νContact the 4-H Extension office for the Grow Well Community Gardens at Barb Dye Park.
νThe citywide garage sale is June 6-7. Look for a list of garage sales in this week’s Ulysses News.
νRace cross America will be coming through Ulysses with a time station at the Grant County Fire Department June 13-18. To volunteer, contact the Grant County Chamber.
“Over the years, we’ve become known for being one of the best time stations on the route,” Hauser said.
νThere will not be a Chamber Coffee this week.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here