Alderman Donates Park Arch
The Canal Port Park has become the perfect stop for those looking to take in nature and history while walking along the I&M Canal — much of which is thanks to Alderman Ken Sereno and his wife Joan.
About two weeks ago a new addition was added to the park on Illinois Avenue. A steel arch was put up over the stone entryway to the replica canal boat the Heritage.
The Serenos had it made by Crown Concepts Corporation, a metal and welding shop. Because Sereno is a repeat customer and Crown Concepts is part of the community, the company cut Sereno a break on the cost, he said. The Serenos purchased it for about $4,500.
The arch features cut outs of squirrels, birds and other animal and plant life that is natural to the area. The top of the arch has a cut out that states “Canalport Park.”
“I spent 48 years working and didn’t donate much then so I thought it’s time to give back to the community,” Sereno said.
The Serenos are doing more than enough to make up for lost time. Just last November they had a steel sculpture of a horse pulling a buckboard full of barrels made and put in the park. It represents what would have been seen along the canal 100 years ago. It cost the Serenos about $5,300 and was also made by Crown Concepts.
In addition Sereno helped with the cost of the mural near the park on the Cal’s printing building at 123 Illinois Ave.
“It’s coming along beautifully down there with the butterfly garden, stone (entry) and the things from Ken and Joan,” said Mayor Dick Kopczick during the June 2 Morris City Council meeting.
Several other community members have also donated to the park including City Engineer Warren Olson, who designed a butterfly garden in memory of his wife Karen Olson. The park was dedicated September 30, 2006.
The Tom Delockery family also donated the garden between the bank wall (put in by the city) and the landscaping stone (donated by Olson) against Calhoun Street.
Sereno said the park holds the memories of the city’s history and he hopes visitors take time to think of Morris’ past while enjoying the park.
Although most would say he has done more than his share of donating, Sereno said he isn’t quite sure he’s done yet.
“The more we have here the more people will come down and look at the mural and the boat,” Sereno said.
Sereno said he is working on a project for Jim and Carol Baum’s new Canal Port Community Center. The Baums recently purchased the old Coleman Hardware Company building on the west end of Illinois Avenue. They plan to remodel the building and divide it into condominiums for the area’s non-profit organizations.
The building’s old concrete chimney sits on the side of the building right now. Sereno said he’d like to incorporate it into a flag stand for the building. The original part of the building is about 135 years old so the chimney is historic, Sereno said, and should be preserved.
Tags: alderman, amp, butterfly garden, calhoun street, canal boat, canal port, city engineer, karen olson, Landscaping, Landscaping Stone, last november, m canal, sereno, steel arch, steel sculpture, stone entryway, welding shop, wife joan0
Monday, June 16th, 2008
