Storm damage leads to cleanup at Memorial Park

Two of Rector Memorial Park's beautiful lampposts were blown down and broken in the fury of Ike's winds which blew through Rector Sunday, Sept. 14. The giant storm brought heavy rains and also took down trees all over town, as well as causing some damage to several homes and businesses. The entire area was strewn with limbs and debris which required extensive cleanup. (Democrat photo/Nancy Kemp) [Click to enlarge]

The process of cleaning up has been underway at Rector Memorial Park, as both volunteers and professionals have been hard at work to restore the beloved site to its traditionally beautiful state.

The park, along with several other areas throughout the region, received damage from high speed winds emanating from tropical depression Ike last week. The green, well cared for grass that lines the park was covered by a sea of limbs, the signpost welcoming visitors at the park's entrance was torn from its base and four trees were downed, with one coming to rest on the roof of the stage, leaving a hole in the structure.

Work began immediately, as crews were brought in to remove the debris Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 17 and 18. As the brush piles and felled trees were removed, the park began to look more and more like its usually does.

"It's looking better," parks commission member Leland Blackshare said. "We're getting our park back to the way it was. I think we're very fortunate to have not received more damage than we did."

While plain, old-fashioned good fortune played a role in keeping the destruction at the park to a limited amount, Blackshare also credits the overall health of the park's trees as a factor in leaving so many of the park's giants still upright.

"I certainly believe the amount of care we've taken with our trees here was a large part of why so many of them are still standing after those winds came through," Blackshare said. "It's all thanks in no small part to the work of volunteers and Ed Dickey."

The parks commission has had a strong working relationship with Dickey Tree Service for several years. Any time a question arises about a tree within Memorial Park, the commission seeks the services of the company, forming a familiarity between the two groups over the last 11 years. While trees are tended on an individual needs basis yearly, all received treatment in 2005. This level of careful nurturing on the part of the commission has allowed for the park to host a variety of healthy, well-maintained trees that are able to stand up to both disease and the elements.

"If we hadn't taken care of these trees like we have been for the past 11 years, I think it's fair to say the majority of them wouldn't be standing right now," Blackshare said.

On Thursday, Dickey Tree Service visited the park again, treating all the trees for diseases and pests in an effort to ensure the foliage endures for all to enjoy.

Dickey feels it's not just the scenic wonders that make Memorial Park stand out as a crowning achievement of splendor in not only Rector, but all of Clay County.

"The parks commission here in Rector has done a great job with this park," Dickey said. "I get calls from a lot of places. What makes Rector stand out is that it's mostly volunteers that keep this park up. They take a lot of pride in keeping their park looking nice so that everyone can enjoy it. We need more of that in our cities."

"Keeping our park beautiful is a never-ending process," Blackshare said. "There will always be a need for volunteers willing to put in all the work which is required. We encourage anyone who would like to offer their assistance in this endeavor to do so."

Current members of the parks and recreation commission are president Nita Bowden, vice-president Keith Hill, Steve Horton, Charles Manchester, Don Pickler, Blackshare and Richard Earls.