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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
The Pekin Community Betterment Committee, lead by Shelby Lain Whitaker, is planning a mural for the exterior of the shelter building in Pekin Park, in conjunction with Center for Rural Engagement. The IU Center for Rural Engagement will be designing the mural.
Nicole Vasconi , the IU Hoosier Quality Place Liaison, gave a presentation Thursday May 2, at the shelter house. Assisting her was Sara Marshall, Rural Placemaking Fellow.
Graham Phillips and Quincy Scott are in charge of comprehensive design. They work in tandem with IU ServeDesign Center at the Eskenazi School of Art.
The initial discussion of the meeting covered Pekin community assets. Categories included education, employers and employment, political, public services, natural resources, leadership, social networks, housing, food services and health and wellness.
Attendees were asked to consider a hypothetical question “What if Pekin Park because a gem of southern Indiana.” One thing mentioned was the Monon Trail as a natural asset. Whitaker’s statement was, “Upgrade things without stepping on toes and preserve history.” The driving focus should be to bring out the strengths of the community.
More information can be found at PekinFourthofJuly.com/PCBO. Indiana University will create the design and Pekin Community Betterment Organizations’ Shelby Whitaker will be in charge of fund-raising and finding an artist. Several designs will be submitted to before one is chosen.
In attendance was the Pekin Town Manager, Jaden Stone. The Washington County Community Foundation was represented by Judy Johnson, executive director, and Lindsey Wage-Smith. Resenting Washington County Tourism were Susan Lloyd and Laurie Jackson.
Pekin Park is used for many events including weddings, Easter egg hunts and, of course, the playground.
Pekin is noted for its Fourth of July Parade. This year will be the town’s 194th annual parade.
Staff photos by Jerry Curry