Portion of City Park may be placed on National Register
October 16th, 2008City officials learned last week that a portion of Gaylord’s City Park is eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
City Council member Pat Pinske has led a push to place the portion of the park (located north of Veterans Drive) on the National Register of Historic Places. She believes one of the primary benefits of such status would be attracting visitors to the City of Gaylord.
Pinske initially proposed placing the entire City Park on the National Register. Park Board members were concerned about that proposal because it would limit what changes could be made in the park.
Late last month, Pinske and other City officials met in the park with Susan Roth, a National Register Historian with the State Historic Preservation Office.
Roth determined that only the area north of Veterans Drive should be considered for National Register status. This area includes a pavilion (roller rink), a band shell and a bridge. The pavilion, which was recently cleaned and painted, was built in 1916. As part of the World Progress Administration program (WPA), the band shell and bridge were constructed in 1940.
In a letter to the City, Roth stated that the park is an important community asset with historical significance that can attract visitors.
Roth noted that it was fortunate the City made modern improvements to other areas of the park. This allows those using the park north of Veterans Drive an experience enjoyed by visitors in years past.
According to Roth, this area was a place that provided residents and visitors a variety of ways to spend their leisure time. It has been identified as historic because it retains historic physical integrity, historic resources, and evokes a period of historic use, she explained.
If the area north of Veterans Drive is chosen for National Register status, there would be restrictions on what could be modified. According to Pinske, modest repairs are allowed and, “in some cases,” things can be replaced. You could not modify a structure if it would deter from the original look, she explained.
Roth recommends that research continues to trace the physical evolution of the buildings and grounds to assure that rehabilitation of park resources is based on historical documentation. The Preservation Office’s evaluation that the park is eligible for nomination to the Register opens the door to the Capitol Grants Program and other assistance, Roth explained.
There would be a minimal fee to nominate the park for the National Register. Gaylord’s Park Board will consider the request at its meeting next week.
Do you have any old pictures of the pavilion, stone fireplace or park area on the north side of Veterans’ Drive? If so, contact the Gaylord Chamber Office at 507-237-5168 or drop the pictures off at City Hall. The pictures will be copied and used for research, according to Pinske.
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