Memorandum 13-076 Recognize Mae Harrington for the Original Donation of Land for Karen Hornaday Park

Memorandum 13-076
TO:  MAYOR WYTHE AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: RENEE KRAUSE, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
FROM:  PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
DATE:  MAY 20, 2013
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE REQUEST TO RECOGNIZE THE ORIGINAL DONATION OF LAND BY MAE HARRINGTON
At the regular meeting May 16, 2013 the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission held a Public Hearing on a request to recognize the original donation of land by Mae Harrington that is now known as Karen Hornaday Park.
The request to recognize this donation was introduced during the April 18, 2013 regular meeting. Mr. Larry Slone, acting on behalf of a group of people, wishing to remain anonymous, felt it was important to recognize the donation of land by Ms. Harrington. Mr. Slone provided historical information on the contributions to the community by Ms. Harrington.
It has been made apparent by the information presented at the April meeting that recognizing Ms. Harrington contributions and the original donation of the land that is now Karen Hornaday Park would be very appropriate by the city.
The Commissioners moved and approved unanimously to recommend approval of the request to recognize the original donation of land by Mae Harrington at Karen Hornaday Park.
Attached are the Minutes of the May 16, 2013 regular meeting and April 18, 2013 regular meeting.

RECOMMENDATION
APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR A PLAQUE TO RECOGNIZE THE ORIGINAL DONATION OF LAND BY MAE HARRINGTON FOR KAREN HORNADAY PARK.
 
Excerpt from the May 16, 2013 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes regarding Public Hearing and Pending Business Discussion:
PUBLIC HEARING

A. Public Hearing on request to Dedicate a Ballfield at Jack Gist Park and Request to Recognize the Original Donation of Land for Karen Hornaday Park

A brief discussion noted that there was no one present to offer testimony for the Public Hearing portion on a Request to Recognize the Donation of Land.

There was no further discussion.

PENDING BUSINESS
C. Request for a Plaque to Recognize the Donation of Land by Mae Harrington at Karen Hornaday Park and a Request to Dedicate a Ballfield at Jack Gist Park

Chair Bremicker read the title into the record and requested a motion.

LOWNEY/BRANN – MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION SUPPORTS THE REQUESTS TO DEDICATE A BALLFIELD AT JACK GIST PARK TO PAULA SETTERQUIST AND RECOGNITION OF THE DONATION OF LAND BY MAE HARRINGTON.

There was a brief discussion on the placement and funding of the plaques and a request to be part of the further discussion on placement of the plaque at Karen Hornaday Park by Commissioner Lowney.

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

Excerpt from the April 18, 2023 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes regarding the Request to Dedicate and Ballfield at Jack Gist Park and the Donation of Land by Mae Harrington

VISITORS
C. Larry Slone, Recognition of Donation Made by Mae Harrington

Mr. Slone was bringing forth a request to make this recommendation by Laura Lofgren; he recited the origination and a bit of history on Mae Harrington and the land. He noted that her family was very active in developing the community, Pioneer Cemetery and the roads; she was the postmistress in the 1930’s; the land where the HERC building was also donated by her family.
Mae Harrington appreciated the natural beauty of the area and wanted to preserve that for the future; she provided the land for the fair containing the same stipulation for continued recreational use. The physical characteristics of life back then to now have certainly changed. The one thing that has not changed in the 75 or more years is human nature. Mr. Slone stated that Mae Harrington has shared with you a sense of commitment to the community, a sense of obligation and willingness to provide of her own time, her own efforts and even her own assets to make this place a better place to live. Mae Harrington was dedicated to the human spirit; she catered to the mind and the spirit of the individuals of Homer. Mr. Slone reported that Mae Harrington wanted future generations to live, thrive and prosper here.
Mr. Slone commented, “Anyone who has roasted a hotdog over a flickering fire on a soft summer night; anyone who has played softball on a brisk and windy autumn day; any child who has slid screaming with pleasure down one of the slides in the playground can trace part of their experience to a gift from Mae Harrington who gave from the heart.
He was seeking a modest plaque that may read, “In honor of Mae Harrington, Homer Homesteader who in 1953 generously contributed this property for the recreational benefit of future users.”

Commissioner Lowney inquired if there was a preference on placement of a plaque. Mr. Slone stated that it should be a more viewable areas and with a preference to the playground. Mr. Slone then responded to questions regarding the gathering of information he had presented to the commission. He then stated that the park was supposed to be named after Mae Harrington but for reasons unknown this was never done. He commented that this would be an opportunity to correct that oversight.

Chair Bremicker agreed with Commissioner Archibald that it was a great idea and quite coincidental that it was brought forward at the same time as the Ballfield request.

NEW BUSINESS

B. Request to Recognize original Donation of Land by Mae Harrington

Chair Bremicker read the title into the record and commented that he was not aware of all the things that Mae Harrington had done and this request like the one for the ballfield was great idea and felt it would definitely provide an example of what doing good works for the community means.

BRANN/ARCHIBALD – MOVED TO APPROVE THE REQUEST TO RECOGNIZE THE ORIGINAL DONATION OF LAND BY MAE HARRINGTON TO THE CITY OF HOMER AND HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.

There was a brief discussion on location of the plaque.

The motion was approved by consensus of the commission.