City Says Thanks To Benefactors Of New Gardens
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Community leaders came out en masse to thank Bob and Roma Maish Thursday for what might be viewed as the crowning jewel in Warsaw's downtown Central Park.
Bob and Roma Maish, whose gift to the city has been transformed into a 10,000-square-foot garden complete with a flowing brook, were honored by city officials at a ceremony in Central Park.
The garden represents a "gift of living beauty that can be enjoyed by all," said Suzie Light, director of Kosciusko County Foundation, which helped coordinate the endowment.
The project began three years ago when Maish said he was motivated after witnessing the development of Central Park, which over the years was home to a junkyard, a football field and a few softball diamonds.
The garden opened last year and includes an array of colorful plants, a meandering walkway and a streaming creek that includes a few fish. The enclosed area borders North Detroit Street and is southeast of what used to be a salvage yard in the late 1970s.
The Maishes' gift, confirmed to be more than $1 million, includes enough money to pay for a perpetual maintenance fund.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins presented the Maishes with a plaque and thanked them for their generosity.
Maish and Wiggins both credited former mayor Jeff Plank with having a key role in developing Central Park and the garden.
Plank's efforts to transform the park took root in 1987 when he announced plans for the twin projects that included land that now encompasses Zimmer's corporate office and Central Park.
Originally, Plank wanted the park to house the much-needed softball fields, but those were later developed west of town at the City-County Athletic Complex. That opened the door for a spacious, multi-use park known as Central Park.
Plank, who stepped down one year ago after 13 years as mayor, said he's pleased with the overall results.
"Both have worked out well," Plank said.
"It's really nice to have the opportunity to participate in the development of something that's going to outlast you," Plank said.
The floral garden was designed by Mick Welborn, who also designed Central Park.
Welborn said the city's overall park system, including 17 parks, is more than most cities of similar size and has become a factor, among other things, in job recruitment.
Others attending Thursday's ceremony were Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce President Joy McCarthy-Sessing, Warsaw Community Development Corporation Director Trish Brown, Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Linda Arnold, city council members and other city officials. [[In-content Ad]]
Community leaders came out en masse to thank Bob and Roma Maish Thursday for what might be viewed as the crowning jewel in Warsaw's downtown Central Park.
Bob and Roma Maish, whose gift to the city has been transformed into a 10,000-square-foot garden complete with a flowing brook, were honored by city officials at a ceremony in Central Park.
The garden represents a "gift of living beauty that can be enjoyed by all," said Suzie Light, director of Kosciusko County Foundation, which helped coordinate the endowment.
The project began three years ago when Maish said he was motivated after witnessing the development of Central Park, which over the years was home to a junkyard, a football field and a few softball diamonds.
The garden opened last year and includes an array of colorful plants, a meandering walkway and a streaming creek that includes a few fish. The enclosed area borders North Detroit Street and is southeast of what used to be a salvage yard in the late 1970s.
The Maishes' gift, confirmed to be more than $1 million, includes enough money to pay for a perpetual maintenance fund.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins presented the Maishes with a plaque and thanked them for their generosity.
Maish and Wiggins both credited former mayor Jeff Plank with having a key role in developing Central Park and the garden.
Plank's efforts to transform the park took root in 1987 when he announced plans for the twin projects that included land that now encompasses Zimmer's corporate office and Central Park.
Originally, Plank wanted the park to house the much-needed softball fields, but those were later developed west of town at the City-County Athletic Complex. That opened the door for a spacious, multi-use park known as Central Park.
Plank, who stepped down one year ago after 13 years as mayor, said he's pleased with the overall results.
"Both have worked out well," Plank said.
"It's really nice to have the opportunity to participate in the development of something that's going to outlast you," Plank said.
The floral garden was designed by Mick Welborn, who also designed Central Park.
Welborn said the city's overall park system, including 17 parks, is more than most cities of similar size and has become a factor, among other things, in job recruitment.
Others attending Thursday's ceremony were Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce President Joy McCarthy-Sessing, Warsaw Community Development Corporation Director Trish Brown, Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Linda Arnold, city council members and other city officials. [[In-content Ad]]