Committee discusses options for monuments at Davis Park

By Ralph Pokorny

Nevada Daily Mail

"We could put the monoliths in a circle instead of a straight line, that would take up less room," Steve Brooks, Nevada Elks Lodge representative, said during a Davis Park subcommittee meeting Tuesday evening at the Franklin P. Norman City/County Community Center, Nevada.

The monoliths Brooks referred to are part of a veterans monument that is being considered as part of a partnership with the Nevada Elks Lodge to create a military-themed park in recognition of veterans from all branches of the military, in Davis Park and the adjoining property owned by the Elks on Centennial Boulevard.

The Elks are planning to install a large U.S. garrison flag that will be visible from U.S. 71 Highway.

"We need the cost of polished concrete pillars before we can do much else," Shirley Ann Bastow said.

The original idea was to use six marble columns, placed in a straight line with a marble capstone; however, the subcommittee felt the $60,000 cost was too high and decided to look at using polished concrete instead.

The idea is to either have the emblem of each branch of the military on a column or on a pillar in the center of the circle of columns, with the emblem for each branch of military on the side facing the appropriate column.

Bastow said that it would be nice to be able to incorporate the metal eagle that once welcomed visitors to the Nevada State Hospital, as well.

She told the committee that the eagle is in storage at the Bushwhacker Museum; and, in the past, when she asked about using it for some purpose, her request was refused.

However, since it still being stored there, she said that she would ask Will Tollerton, the museum director, about using it on the monument.

The committee also is considering a couple of other options, like contacting Norman Sheet Metal, which has pressed metal eagles in their catalogue; or using a concrete eagle.

"I'll go by Norman's and pick up one of their catalogues. That way, everyone can look at it," Bastow said.

Parks and Recreation Director Dana Redburn told the sub committee members that sometime after Jan 1, the shelter house in the park will need to be moved to the southeast part of the park and some drainage lines installed.

However, since the existing shelter house is in bad condition she told the committee they need to start thinking about what they want to replace it with.

"There's no reason we can't do it ourselves. We'll need stamped plans, but that is no problem," Redburn said.

"You need to think about what you want -- fancy or not-so-fancy," she said.