DATE: February 27, 2015
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
Vernon Gerth, ACA Community & Economic Development
Lisa Clayton, Parks Director
Deanna Scheffel, Parks Recreation Foreman
SUBJECT: .title
Consideration of Proposed Wings Of Hope Statue To Be Erected At Pinkerton Park by SHARING of Middle TN, Inc.
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Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning the request to erect a Wings of Hope statue at Pinkerton Park. SHARING of Middle TN's goal of this project is to secure a sacred space at Pinkerton Park for bereaved families to gather, remember and grieve for pregnancies or infants lost. It will also be a symbol of Hope gifted by the citizen of Williamson County to remind them that they are not alone and a reminder of the beautiful life all around them in nature's setting. This space will be available for use any time by bereaved families and be part of annual memorial events.
The Parks Department has located a "serene" location at Pinkerton Park and request from BOMA to consider not just location but should this type of project under these circumstances be placed within a public park.
Background
SHARING of Middle TN, Inc. is a support group for parents who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant loss. Meetings are designed to help parents, grandparents, siblings, and loved ones sort through the grief process in a safe environment among others who have experienced similar losses. SHARING holds open free support meetings twice a month in Nashville. Through this connection, grieving families are brought together through the shared loss of a pregnancy or infant. Groups are led by parents, and attended by health care professionals. SHARING is a chapter of National Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss, Inc. and has been in operation for over 25 years in Middle Tennessee.
See Attachment for Project Details and grant information.
Financial Impact
SHARING of Middle TN, Inc. will finance the initial project requests the city maintain the statue and surrounding site. See attachment for construction partner(s) details. The concrete would be reinforced and would not need any yearly maintenance. SHARING of Middle TN is willing to keep a maintenance fund available to the City of Franklin Parks with a minimum of $500 in the account for any emergency repairs that may arise for up to five years. SHARING of Middle TN shall cover the insurance for the project for up-to five years and request the City to maintain thereafter.
Recommendation
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This proposal will be presented by SHARING of Middle TN to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen at their March 10th work session.