Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Patrick Sullivan, Executive Director of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management (PBRM), joined with City Forester Alex Sherman, the Springfield Park Commission, and officials to kick off three days of events celebrating the Springfield Parks Department’s 140th anniversary with a special ‘Night Under the Stars’ event featured the unveiling of a bronze bas relief of longtime Park Superintendent Theodor R. Geisel and his son, Theodor Seuss Geisel aka ‘Dr. Seuss’. The evening also featured a concert performance by Springfield’s own Dee Reilly.
The Friends of Springfield Parks commissioned an 8 ft. x 6 ft. bas relief bronze sculpture that depicts a young Dr. Seuss and his father, long-time Park Superintendent Theodor R. Geisel, in Forest Park with characters and images from the park during their period. The backside of the engraving tells the story of Superintendent Geisel and how his son Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) was inspired by his experiences and interactions at Forest Park. Dr. Seuss’s stepdaughter, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, is the artist who sculpted the bas relief. She is the sculptor of all the bronzes in the nationally acclaimed Dr. Seuss Memorial Sculpture Park at the Springfield Museums and she will be present at the unveiling.
In addition, an update on the planned Horticulture Center Master Plan was discussed at the unveiling. Studies have been completed and significant progress has been made to implement this exciting Master Plan for upper Forest Park. The relocation of the Forestry Division and a recent announcement of a $3 million federal grant for the Walker Grandstand are paving the way to move forward with additional grants to restore this iconic structure. Plans will also be shared for a 6,000 sq. foot Conservatory-style Greenhouse, and for further restoration of the Monkey House and Red Brick Barn. To celebrate these achievements, the Springfield Parks Department brought in a carousel to share the vison of what could be offered for residents and visitors in Forest Park in the future.
Mayor Sarno stated, “As we kick off our Parks Department 140th anniversary, it is only fitting that we honor longtime Park Superintendent and father of the beloved Dr. Seuss, Theodor R. Geisel, with a special unveiling of a bronze bas relief that pays homage to our City’s history. I want to thank the talented artist, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, who also happens to be Theodor S. Geisel’s stepdaughter, for commissioning this piece. Her work can also be seen at our beloved Dr. Seuss Memorial Sculpture Park at our Springfield Museums. How fitting to place this bronze sculpture in the former Monkey House, a place where young Ted and his father visited together so frequently. This is a great way to kick-off my administrations grand master plan for Forest Park with the next phase of development. I want to thank the members of our Park Commission, Congressman Richard Neal – who once a mayor always the heart of a mayor, and especially Patrick Sullivan and the incredible Parks Department team for their continued efforts in making this dream a reality. We look forward to continuing the endeavors necessary to fully implement this master plan, especially the Conservatory style greenhouse. Pat and I’s goal is to host flower shows such as are done at Smith College. Our residents deserve to have these amenities re-established for their enjoyment. I encourage everyone to come out this weekend and enjoy all of the exciting events, rain or shine, at Forest Park.”
Executive Director Sullivan said, “I am honored to have had the pleasure of working with Lark Grey Dimond-Cates on this beautiful bronze sculpture. When she first shared her color rendering, I was overwhelmed by the level of detail she included about Forest Park. All of everyone’s favorite memories about the park are captured in her art. From skating on the pond to visiting the Monkey House to playing on the fields, she has portrayed the spirit of Forest Park. For those who did not grow up in the time of the large zoo in the park, she has illustrated other features including Bright Nights, rowing on the waterways, and observing woodland animals. The Geisel family deserves this honor to be recognized for their stewardship of this park during Theodor R. Geisel’s time as Superintendent.”
Sullivan added, “We are pleased to share renderings of the Horticulture Master Plan as this area of Forest Park is next to be restored and we are excited in the progress made to date in preparing these plans. We are now poised to solicit grants and to fundraise to make this master plan a reality. We look forward to collaborating with state, federal, and local officials to materialize a new Horticulture and Learning Center for the citizens of Springfield.”
Jennifer McQuade, Park Commission Chairperson, added, “We are honored to be revealing this beautiful Bronze sculpture to the citizens of Springfield. Also, this Anniversary Celebration includes many wonderful events to commemorate our renowned park system. We should take great pride in the natural resources that are available throughout our parks and we look forward to welcoming our residents and regional visitors to Forest Park this weekend in celebrating 140 years of Parks and 125 years of Forestry”
Alex Sherman said, “Springfield’s Forestry Division is one of the oldest Urban Forestry Divisions in the country. It is rewarding to work for a Mayor and Parks Director that provide the resources to provide state-of-the-art arboriculture practices while ensuring the safety of the men and women who work for Forestry. We look forward to welcoming park patrons on Saturday to tour our new $4 million operations center which includes a propagation green house, expanded tree nursery, and new garage facility to house our equipment. It’s a great weekend to celebrate Parks and Forestry in our city”
The Park Department has a weekend of activities planned to celebrate its 140th Anniversary and 125 years of the Springfield Forestry Division. Founded in 1883, the Springfield Park Department has grown to include over 50 parks and 3,000 acres of open space.
Events on Friday, October 13th will feature an open house for Springfield Seniors with lawn bowling and bocce lessons. The seniors will be treated to a free lunch while enjoying a live performance by Floyd Patterson’s Hipptown band. Saturday’s activities will include tours of the Barney Carriage House, the new Edward P. Casey Forestry Operations Center, the Clifford Phaneuf Education Center (ECOS), and the Monkey House. Children can enjoy face painting, a magic show, carousel rides, and arts and crafts under the tent at the Horticulture area across from the Monkey House. Also, children 12 and under will be allowed free admission to the Forest Park Zoo between 12 noon and 2:00 p.m. Plans will also be unveiled announcing updates on the new Horticulture Center and securing federal grants. It will be a great weekend to celebrate Springfield Parks.
Mayor Sarno stated, “The city of Springfield is unique in that every neighborhood has a park and every resident has the opportunity to enjoy the 735 acres of Forest Park. The founders of the park system had a dream for the future and we are living that dream with 3,000 acres of open space. I am proud to announce that my administration has invested over $100 million into our beautiful park system over the past 12 years. Parks are a vital part of our city and an integral part of our neighborhood communities. I encourage everyone to continue to enjoy their local neighborhood parks in the next few weeks and hope to see you at Forest Park for the Anniversary Celebration.”
To celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Springfield Parks Department and 125th anniversary of the Springfield Forestry Division, some of the family-friendly events during the three days will include:
Thursday, October 12th
- A Night Under the Stars with the unveiling of the Theodore Geisel Bas Relief honoring the longest serving park superintendent and his son, Theodore K. Geisel, aka Dr Seuss. 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
- Concert by Dee Reilly from 6 pm — 8 pm under the event tent.
Friday, October 13th
- Senior Luncheon with lawn bowling and bocce lessons.
- Seniors will be treated to a free lunch while enjoying a live performance by the Floyd Patterson’s Hipptown Band. 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
- Lawn bowling and Bocce lessons: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Contact the Raymond Jordan Senior Center to reserve your spot: (413) 787-6785
Saturday, October 14th
- Open house and tours of the Carriage House at the Barney Estate in Forest Park, the new Edward P. Casey Forestry Operations Center, the Clifford Phaneuf Education Center (ECOS), and the Monkey House.
- Carriage House – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Monkey House – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Edward P. Casey Forestry Operations Center – 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- ECOS – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Bocce Lessons: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
- Dean Davids Magician
- Session 1: 12:00 pm
- Session 2: 1:00 pm
- The Happy Face Painter
- 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Springfield Fire Department and Dispatch
- Fire Truck Display – 1:00 to 2:00 pm
- Forest Park Zoon
- Free admission for kids 12 and under
- Session 1: 12:00 pm
- Session 2: 2:00 pm
- 125 Years of City Forestry with Forester Alex Sherman at Edward P. Casey Forestry Operations Center
- 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm
