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ParkblogFebruary 21, 2011

                           GREEN GROW THE GRASS ROOTS

Dreams? At first they seem impossible mused actor Christopher Reeve, then they seem improbable, and then when will powers are brought to bear, they become inevitable. If all goes well in the year 2011, a long-standing dream will be transformed into exciting reality, the birth of Barbara’s Park up on the legendary Posse Grounds. While public parks in many communities in the southwest and across the nation are under siege due to budget cuts, Sedona’s dream of a public park for all the people, thanks to powerful local support,  is bright and shiny and awaits final City Council action soon.

                    Even now amidst February snow blanketing the Mogollon Rim, one runs into the whisperers. “When?” asks the poet Lane. “Will there is a party,” asks the intrepid Randy Mahannah who remembers the old days of jazz festivals up on the Posse Grounds. “Will there be bathrooms,” asks publisher Ranger Bob. And yes, pending approvals by Sedona’s Parks and Rec, there will be live music, poetry slams, and classes of all kinds and a powerful sense of community.

           Friend’s President Maddy O’Callaghan sums up the essence of this exciting project. “This is not a commercial venture but a partnership between the City and local volunteers. Perhaps to say ‘we are building an athletic field for the arts’ will underscore how much this park will be for community use.”

           Sums up swarthy Jim Eaton, longtime Sedona leader, “beauty is many faceted. It can be physical, environmental or it can be the beauty of people working together with a dream in common that’s beyond their own interests. There is a true need for this park, and it is a good design.”

                                                   —–James Bishop, Jr.

Barbara Antonsen at the 1993 Sedona Art Festival

As a kaleidoscope turns, it colors toss and they twist and fall into a gorgeous pattern; a slight movement and the pattern alters, changes to a new view, a different perspective, thus it has been with Barbara’s Park.

Toward the end of the year, 2001 my phone jangled.  City staffer Marie Brown had an idea and also a request.  Would I help to save approximately 2 acres within the Posse Grounds Park? There, a small stage stood, which had held entertainment events since before the city was incorporated and most recently had hosted the yearly Jazz on the Rocks concerts.  Moreover, she wanted to commemorate Barbara Antonsen who had worked tirelessly in the early 90’s to save the State owned land, a total of 8.63 acres that was smack dab in the middle of  park owned land, from development. After gathering thousands of signatures from the community, Barbara worked with the State to allow the City of Sedona to purchase the land for it’s inclusion in the Posse Grounds holdings. Perhaps in many ways this was the first kaleidoscopic view.

For more than nine years, I had worked with Barbara on the board for the Sedona Arts Festival, a successful vision that she had as a vehicle for funding the nonprofit arts and education in the community. Barbara was gravely ill with an aggressive cancer- she had given so much to the community, so naming this small area of the park in her honor made perfect sense.

We just received a wonderful letter of support from our friends at the Sedona-Bell Rock Kiwanas Club.  Thank you Dee Estrella for your kind words of support!

Dear Ms. O’Callaghan & Friends of Posse Grounds,

After hearing the full presentation of the Barbara Antonsen Memorial Park Project, the Sedona-Bell Rock Kiwanis Club would like you to know that we whole-heartedly support this wonderful community concept. Sedona needs this well-designed park and a community gathering place that offers such natural beauty. We hope you will be able to make this dream a reality and get the full support you need!

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” ~Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

Sincerely,
Dee Estrella, Secretary
On Behalf of the Entire
Sedona-Bell Rock Kiwanis Club

Here at the Friends of the Posse Grounds, we are dedicated to making Barbara’s Park a place where Sedona’s arts can thrive.  However, Sedona may have never become a an arts-oriented community without  the very important role that the Sedona Arts Center has played in the history of our city.  Today, the center’s iconic “Art Barn” is in disrepair and in desperate need of rehabilitation.  Fortunately, SAC has applied for a $250,000 grant from Pepsi through their “Refresh Everything Project”.

Through the month of August, the public is invited to vote online for the causes they believe are most deserving of the awards.  The top 2 vote-getters will receive $250,000 to fund their cause.  Sedona Arts Center is making a big push to spread the word for all Sedonans to become “Barnstormers”, supporting the cause.  We encourage you to do your part to Save the Art Barn and preserve Sedona’s arts -- all you have to vote!

Voting begins August 1 and ends August 30th.  To learn more about the Sedona Art Center and the Art Barn browse their web site at www.sedonaartscenter.com

Check out their YouTube video for the cause:

In October of 2007, Sedona’s Planning and Zoning Commission granted Barbara’s Park a CUP (conditional use permit).  As each commissioner spoke prior to the vote, Commissioner Jim Eaton, said, “I have lived here for 21 years and Sedona has needed a facility like this for 21 years”

It’s 2010 – What ever happened to Barbara’s Park?

The proposed community park project on the Posse grounds is alive and well. Final engineering studies are being done to prepare for the bidding process.  We expect the project to be put out to bid – that is reviewed by possible contractors/builders —toward the end of August this year.

As the Barbara Antonsen Memorial Park has evolved over the last 6 years of planning, fundraising, and city hearings,  I have been visualizing this public/private partnership as a kind of kaleidoscope – as each color and piece fall into place the image becomes better, clearer, and stronger.  It is a story to tell – check back for the vision to unfold.

Immediately following the City of Sedona Earth Day Celebration, the Friends of the Posse Grounds present a Free Earth Day Concert featuring musical guest Anthony Mazzella and Friends. Beginning at 1pm, enjoy a Spring afternoon filled with music and celebration.

This, from Anthony Mazzella’s website:

“Anthony Mazzella is a professional concert guitarist, recording artist and producer. BILLBOARD Magazine describes him as “the new generation of guitar hero” and GUITAR ONE magazine voted him “one of the top ten guitarists in the country”. Anthony released 8 CD’s, tours internationally, made guest appearances on major artist’s releases, receives airplay on national radio and satellite television, and has an independent film soundtrack to his credit. He is an established presence in the genre of instrumental music and has many new projects on the horizon.”

The City of Sedona Department of Parks and Recreation announces Earth Day Celebration at Posse Grounds Park:

“Please join us for this wonderful, free Signature Event brought to you by the City of Sedona Department of Parks and Recreation, your local Safeway store and Sedona Red Rock News. April 17 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Posse Grounds Multi-Use field is the place to be.

“There will be interesting and informative vendors on site whose primary goals and/or organizational focus is environmental education, preservation, sustainability, green living or healthy lifestyles. Some vendors will be giving 15-minute mini-lectures on earth related topics. There will be inflatables and crafts on hand for children to enjoy. Come out to see a twenty-year-old time capsule be opened at 9:30 a.m.

“Live music performances will be happening so bring a blanket and enjoy some relaxing time on the grass out in the sunshine. Bring a picnic or you can purchase hot dogs and hamburgers being sold by the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Arizona. Please remember that dogs on leashes are welcome, but please pick up after your pet.

“Following the event there will be a free concert to benefit Barbara’s Park courtesy of The Friends of the Posse Grounds and the City of Sedona Department of Parks and Recreation. It is sure to be a fun, informative day for our community.”

• Date: 4/17/2010 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Cost: Free
• Location: Posse Grounds Park