(Photo by J.D. Creer) Shown during the project kickoff in October. From left, David Schwartz, Salem Preservation president; Keith Berger, Salem Preservation vice-president; Jennifer Brown; Salem Preservation secretary; Robert McCulloch, Debbie McCulloch; Rob McCulloch; Carla Ruas McCulloch and Sophie Ruas McCulloch.(Photo by J.D. Creer)

Members of Salem Preservation’s McCulloch Park committee recently met with the McCulloch family to review plans for the restoration and re-invigoration of the park which was once the sight of the family-owned downtown Salem department store.

The store had been a fixture in Salem for over 100 years. The architecture firm of RBF originally designed the new look for the park that sits in the heart of beautiful downtown Salem.

Salem Preservation has engaged Enviroscapes to manage the extensive plans that call for removal and reuse of all the dedicated brick pavers in a more useful configuration. The new plan will be more user-friendly for all age groups.

There will be a dedicated Jackie Troll garden abutting Troll’s Jewelry Store. There will also be an area for musical entertainment. Area residents will be able to charge their devices at the upgraded charging stations. If all goes well and enough funds are raised, there may be a possibility of having electric cars charged in the back area of McCulloch Park.

The McCulloch family was so enthusiastic with the park plans, they have offered to match dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 for every dollar Salem Preservation raises for the park renovation. The total cost of the project is over $100,000. The fundraising drive is heading down the “Home-Stetch.”

Letters have gone out to local citizens, businesses and organizations with gratifying results. David Schwartz, president of the organization said, “Salem Preservation is pleased with the fundraising effort and is looking for a little boost from the public to put us over the top!”

Salem Preservation is donating $15,000 of it’ own funds. If the fundraising campaign goes well, more features will be added to make the park more enjoyable to area residents.

Anyone wishing to participate in the McCulloch Park fund drive may do so by sending their tax-deductible donation of any amount to Salem Preservation, P.O. Box 1034, Salem, OH 44460. Please note McCulloch Park project will hopefully be ready for dedication and pubic use this summer.

For more information contact Preservation president David K. Schwartz at schwartzda@earthlink.net (mailto:schwartzda@earthlink.net) or any other committee member.

— Submitted material