The Idabelle Firestone Gathering Place and Garden, a beautiful new amphitheater at Firestone Park, is now available for community get-togethers, musical concerts, meetings, educational classes and social event rentals. (Submitted photo)

On June 8, 2023, the Trustees of the Restoration and Beautification Committee met at the Idabelle Firestone Gathering Place and Garden to celebrate the completion of a long and historic project – the restoration of the Harvey S. Firestone Recreational Park. The Gathering Place, a new building in the park, is now completed with a kitchenette and the amenities for groups to meet and learn with events to honor Idabelle’s pastimes of music and gardening. Joining the Trustees were key members of the companies and local civic groups who helped us along the way.

A Seven-Year Project

I presided at the meeting and used the key restorations to reflect on the seven-year restoration project. We all paid tribute to the crucial players: Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.; Terra Design Studios; Enviroscapes; local firm Hippley Landscaping; and special contributors Lloyd Miller and Keith Kaiser. Vaughn Musser and I and other guests that were present reminisced with details about the conversion of Mirror Lake, the transformation of the pavilions with new names and landscaping, the evolution of the Sports Courts, the re-facing of the Firestone Pool House, the creativity of the “Million Dollar Parking Lot”, the historic birth of the Legacy Trail, and the introduction of Idabelle’s Gathering Place, as well as the many other improvements that were completed. Special mention was given to the significance of the Dedication last September and the enhanced new role of many of the members of the Firestone Family. All those involved added special recollections and interesting commentary.

In addition to myself and Vaughn Musser, other Trustees present were Dawn Rance, Janet Mong, Brenda Bradley, Skip McCullough, and R & B Secretary, Connie Witt.

Present for the city, park and contracting were Rob Thompson (Terra Design), Chris Carson (Enviroscapes), Ron Detweiler & Nancy Tirpak (Park Board) Skip Liston (city of Columbiana) and Jay Brothers (new plantings and structures Manager). Unable to attend but who sent written comments and tributes were Jim Feath (HRG), Cindy Tyler (Terra Design), and Paul Hagman (Architect for the Gathering Place.)

Skip McCullough and I shared information about the completion of Idabelle’s Gathering Place, noting the volunteer contribution of Shawn Magill, as well as Skip McCullough’s design work in both the kitchen and the meeting room.

Distributed throughout the community this month were flyers about Idabelle’s Gathering Place and its offerings, as well as a commemorative booklet by Cindy Tyler of Terra Design introducing all the new plantings now in Firestone Park. Copies of this beautiful and informative publication can be found by the public at the local library, historical society, chamber of commerce, park office and city hall. A copy was also sent to the Firestone Family through Bob Troyer, their representative.

What Lies Ahead

The Gathering Place is open for rentals now through the park office. A special series of free Fall Concerts is planned for September and October featuring instrumental groups. Brenda Bradley (artistic direction) and Rose Conrad (event production) are working with the Bradford and Patricia Tingle Family Foundation to introduce this new offering. The focus will be on honoring and learning about music in tribute to Idabelle. Look for introductory information on the dates/times on the web and in local newspapers.

Josh Menning of Menning Films and Rose Conrad, film producer, were also present at the meeting as part of the documentary being made about the restoration project. In addition to this documentary, I will be writing a book detailing the process of restoring a public park with all of its challenges and issues. Also in the works is a feature film on Idabelle Firestone herself to accompany the book and the documentary.

The road has indeed been long and winding and is continuing, much to the benefit of the Firestone Family and the City of Columbiana! (For more information on renting the Idabelle Firestone Gathering Place and Garden, contact the park office at (330) 482-2656.)