Published: August 28, 2009 05:48 pm      

Tried and true — 08/31/09

Park brick sales are effective

The Ashland Department of Parks and Recreation is employing a tried and true method of raising funds to make further improvements to Central Park: Selling commemorative bricks. To date, more than $20,000 has been raised to support Central Park by selling bricks and through donations.

The bricks, which can be purchased for either $50 or $100, are being placed on the back of the first-base dugout on the main diamond in the park. To participate, call (606) 326-2046 or go to Ashlandky.org and click on the link for the brick project.

Gary Wright, who donated $125,000 to refurbish Ernie Chattin Field in Central Park two years ago, came up with the idea of having an honor wall that could help raise more money for upkeep or additions.

The brick project is hardly an original idea. Similar projects are visible throughout the city. Names of donors can be found in front of the Paramount Arts Center and the Boyd County Public Library’s main branch, at the base of the flag poles on Judd Plaza, at the Salvation Army, and at many other locations. There is a reason for this: Selling commemorative bricks and plaques are a risk-free way of raising funds for worthy causes.

Most of the people whose names are on the bricks at Central Park are not well known. They are simply people being honored because they wanted to support the project. The bricks help assure that they will not be soon forgotten.