COLUMBIANA — The public is invited to attend the very first meeting of the “Friends of Firestone Park” on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m. at the new Firestone Legacy and Visitors Center at 246 E. Park Ave.

“Many visitors to the park this year have expressed an interest in helping the Firestone Park Cultural and Custodial Committee and maintenance staff with their work at Firestone Park,” said Pat Tingle of the committee, “and we are pleased and excited to reach out to thea community for involvement as we build on the many new features and plantings in today’s Harvey S. Firestone Recreational Park.”

At this special meeting, attendees can learn more about the park’s new beautiful landscapes, the diversity of plants, trees, flowers, shrubs and groundcovers and also have the opportunity to offer ideas for the park’s growth and improvement. Discussion on how to learn how the park is funded and what options are available to make sure it is properly cared for and maintained at its present beautifully restored level will also take place.

“If you are a regular visitor to the park, you will see how truly wonderful it is,” Tingle said. “We invite interested community members to come to the meeting and learn how to become a member of the “Friends of Firestone Park,” to help make sure it is properly cared for and maintained as it should be.”

Of the many activities the members of the “Friends of Firestone Park” can engage in is helping with the park’s flower garden installation and deciding the choice of flowers, guiding visitors through the park’s landscapes and gardens and becoming a mentor to young people in helping them appreciate nature and the rich history of the park, which has been described by experts as “almost an arboretum.”

Friends of Firestone Park can also take advantage of special landscape seminars and presentations and can also help the committee promote cultural, educational and entertainment events such as the free Idabelle Firestone Fall Concert Series that recently wrapped up with over 500 attendees at the final concert of The Texas Tenors from the popular network television program, ‘America’s Got Talent.”

Members of the committee will also be available to answer questions and concerns about issues related to the park’s operation and to discuss input and ideas.

On display in the new Legacy Center will be memorabilia of the park’s rich history and the original schematics from landscape designers and engineers of the progress of the restoration of the park as it went along.

“We sincerely hope the community will turn out to this special time together and join us to become the “Friends of Firestone Park, a most worthy endeavor,” Tingle said, “and one that represents the jewel of our city.”

For information, visit Facebook at Firestone Park Cultural and Custodial Committee or call the Legacy Center Building at 234-855-0136.