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ALTON — A new gazebo, unassembled, has arrived for Haskell Park. Its dedication as a special event in September will replace this year's Lucy Haskell Birthday Party traditionally held in July.
A beloved holly tree that died last year after providing many years of shade and tranquility for readers and children near the Lucy Haskell Playhouse and Little Library was removed last year, making way for a new gazebo to serve the same purpose. The Alton Parks and Recreation Department will be removing the tree stump and assembling, installing and securing the gazebo with concrete footings in the near future at the park.
A formal dedication for the gazebo is set for Saturday, Sept. 9, during the last open house of the year at the Alton park. There will be refreshments, lemonade and pony rides, much like the birthday party, the Haskell Playhouse Association chairwoman Margaret Hopkins said.
"We were able to raise funds for the gazebo project through donors, by offering the opportunity to donate $1,000 for one of four benches in the gazebo in their honor," she said.
One of the benches received is a donation in honor of a man's deceased brother who loved gazebos and books; another bench is in honor of a couple's 50th wedding anniversary.
"(Association member) Debbie Schuneman said it best: The story of the playhouse in itself is a love story, a love story of Lucy's parents for her, and their continued love for Lucy, to remember and honor her in presenting the playhouse, her home and all of her property to the city," Hopkins said.
"This gazebo project was made possible by many people, not just the ones who have benches or the structure dedicated to them," she noted. "We certainly want to thank everyone, and let people know we are still seeking funds to complete the project."
The Haskell Playhouse Association, of which the core will be unable to plan or be at the July birthday party, is spearheading the gazebo project, to which the group added more improvements.
"We wanted to continue this love story, so we have attached a plaque to the benches, with a phrase, quote or a couple sentences about the honoree," said Hopkins. "It's an opportunity for kids to sit on the benches and fill in the blanks with their imagination with there own stories.
"We asked the gentleman for something to tell us that would mean something (about his brother), something to prompt that imagination, and his quote will be on the plaque," Hopkins explained. "The couple has some lines from a famous song."
The Alton Township Office donated $3,000 for the gazebo project. The total cost of the gazebo was $7,000; it was purchased by the nonprofit Playhouse Association.
"They’ve been very generous giving to diff organizations or for needs that they have," Hopkins noted. "So that’s how we made ends meet."
Also in process is the sandblasting and repainting of the child's size wrought iron furniture purchased years ago by the association at a yard sale. The metal furniture that was under the shade tree was rusting and peeling.
“We had raised the canopy of the holly tree years ago and put the wrought iron furniture in there, and children and parents enjoyed sitting there reading," Hopkins said.
Then, in the meantime, the Little Library has to be moved.
"We would like to find an architectural pole to support the library," Hopkins said, "black metal and architectural in nature."
Repairs to the Little Library also have been made.
"And we have landscaping to do once we get the gazebo up," she said.
Donations still are being sought for the Little Library improvements and landscaping. The Alton Parks and Recreation Department removed the tree and is installing the gazebo at no charge.
Donations, which go 100% into a trust called the Lucy Haskell Playhouse Fund, can be deposited directly via the website www.lucyhaskellplayhouse.org or by mail in care of Margaret Hopkins, 1014 Henry St., Alton, IL 62002.
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