NEWS SIGNS ADD HISTORIC INSIGHT TO PARK VISITORS — There are 14 newly-erected signs within Beatty Park. Among them is a sign depicting photos and information about the caretaker’s house, which was located at the park. Visitors can read and see from the pictures facts about the caretaker and his responsibilities. In addition, residents will learn a lot of this area’s past, dating back to the 1700s. The signs were purchased through the local Steubenville Kiwanis Club, as well as an anonymous charitable trust. Those visiting the park to view the placement and information on the new signage included from left, Tom Timmons, Kiwanis Club secretary and treasurer; Cookie West, past Kiwanis president; and Flora VerStraten-Merrin, chair and founder of the Friends of Beatty Park. -- Contributed

Residents throughout the community will soon have the opportunity to experience for themselves what several others already know — the historical, interesting facts surrounding the park and how it is related to a cemetery.

Organizers have planned an Historical Walking Tour through Beatty Park beginning at 10 a.m. Sept. 23. The park, located at 621 Lincoln Ave., has been a focus of the walking tour throughout the past few years. Officials explained those interested in taking the tour will meet near the entrance prior to the walk. Parking will be available along Lincoln Avenue and throughout the park.

However, this year’s event is unlike the tours of previous years. This year’s walking tour will include an art show and sale, put on by those affiliated with the Steubenville Art Association.

“This is our third-annual Historical Walking Tour but with a new twist,” stated Flora VerStraten-Merrin, chair and founder of the Friends of Beatty Park.

TOUR VOLUNTEER — Linda Hilty, park volunteer and local historian, will share information regarding the naming of Beatty Park during an upcoming Historic Walking Tour, scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 23. Hilty has previously participated on the walks in order to answer participant’s questions. -- Contributed

The Friends of Beatty Park is a group of volunteers who have been revitalizing the historic park for approximately four years.

“The new twists added to our annual tour are the 14 historic signs which have been added all through the park,” she began. “That includes historic stories as well as historic photos.” The signs were sponsored by the Steubenville Kiwanis Club, as well as a private, charitable trust who wishes to remain anonymous.”

“One of these 14 historical signs stands at the bridge in Steubenville Union Cemetery,” VerStraten-Merrin continued. “The cemetery shares in the park’s history and has a connection.”

“We will walk to each historical sign location where pictures and history of the park will be shared, as well as nature and ecology signs.”

VerStraten-Merrin noted this is a “level-two hike,” as it includes inclines on hill trails and steps. The walk, however, is less than a mile, so even those who do not enjoy walking but who are interested in history, will have a good experience by doing the tour, she noted.

TOUR SIGN — This sign in Beatty Park depicts information regarding flowers and nature. -- Contributed

“We are also excited to add the Steubenville Art Association to our walking tour,” she stated. Participants will be given the opportunity to attend the art show’s display area in order to view students’ art pieces.

The art on display is created by using various techniques, including plein-air pieces, which members were asked to bring to the show, according to those at the SAA. Participants were told to bring either six pieces of their work or three larger pieces for the set up at the show and sale.

The association will hold a sale in addition to its show, so interested parties will have the option to purchase pieces on display, including scenes depicting Beatty Park. The art can be purchased with either credit cards or cash. Art students have focused on many different areas of the park, including an old stone lodge. One does not have to be on the walking tour to attend the art show, officials said. The SAA will be set up from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the second shelter house, located beyond the park’s restrooms and parking lot.

SAA President Judy Schmidt, along with Bob Watson, organizer of the event, have been working very hard to put this unique art show and sale together, VerStraten-Merrin explained.

“This is very exciting,” she continued. “I feel blessed to have three pieces of art work from these local artists and all three pieces are various locations within the park. So I am asking the community to please come out and join us for this event. If you are interested in history — not just Beatty Park history — you will definitely be interested in learning about how this park is literally and historically connected to the Steubenville Union Cemetery.”

Those on the walking tour will have the opportunity to learn all types of facts about the city, according to VerStraten-Merrin. “You’ll learn about the south end of town, commonly referred to as ‘out the run,’ and learn why it is called that. We promise you’ll have an informative and fun experience.”

Light refreshments will be served following the tour.

SAA member Tammy Rogers donated a denim jean jacket with her artistic work on the back. Schmidt and Watson stated the jacket will be awarded through a drawing. Tickets will be $5, with the winner being announced at the end of the art show.

“There is no limit as to how many tickets can be purchased for a chance to win the jacket,” Schmidt said. Watson explained there will be plenty of art to select from, including pieces done of Beatty Park and beautiful fall scenes.

“It is very generous of the art association to donate 20 percent of its sales to the Friends of Beatty Park,” VerStraten-Merrin stated. “I, myself, have three pieces of art gifted to me from members of the art group and I treasure them.”

The walking tour will begin near the entrance of the park where VerStraten-Merrin will serve as the morning’s tour guide. She, along with Linda Hilty, a park volunteer and local historian, will share information regarding the naming of Beatty Park.

Topics covered during the walk will include historical bridges and other features which are no longer standing. Discussions will center on features that do still exist, including Steubenville Union Cemetery, located adjacent to the park, and the impact the park had on the entire city and community.

As the group continues to walk the park, the attendees will stop at each location where a sign is displayed. Volunteers from the Friends of Beatty Park will walk with the group and will answer any questions asked along the way.

“Anyone interested in the history of the park, the cemetery, the South End and the history of the city would enjoy this walking tour,” VerStraten-Merrin expressed. “Included with the tour are two nature signs that show the flowers and animals that have been seen in the park. This is a very relaxed and interactive walk and we plan to share and tell stories and have plenty of fun.”

“During the past four years, whenever I am in the park, I have had visitors ask me about different historical features in the park,” she said. “Many times they’ve said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we knew why these staircases were here and now lead to nowhere?’ So I started thinking about all of the questions that I have been asked by people visiting the park and got this idea.

“Why can’t we install historic signs throughout the park? For example, what used to be at the top of the staircase that now only leads to a trail? Or why are these huge bleachers up here on the hill? Why are these stone walls here? These are just a few of the many questions people have asked me and other volunteers since we have been revitalizing the park,” she recalled.

“When I am in the park, it is wonderful to be able to answer those questions,” VerStraten-Merrin continued. “And then I thought about all of the times people come to the park and there was no one here to answer their questions. That is when the idea came to me to seek funding for some well-made signs that could display historic information — facts and photos of the various historical locations throughout the park.”

She said she approached the Steubenville Kiwanis Club and inquired about receiving a donation toward the park. “They were completely on board with the idea,” she responded. “I also approached a local charitable trust group that wishes to remain nameless, and they helped to cover the balance owed on the historical signs. I worked with Erin Michaels, a talented graphic artist and she laid out the information and photos, making the stories come to life.”

Because VerStraten-Merrin has been compiling information and historic photos for a book she is writing on Beatty Park and its history, she was able to send Michaels the timelines and photos to be used for the signs.

While she projects such a project would normally take months to compile and complete, she was able to finish in a short time, as she had already researched the information and had it readily available.

“All of the photos of the flower nature sign were taken from photos I took myself in the park during the past four years,” she said. “Many people that live in the city or nearby have no idea the natural beauty that Beatty Park provides, right out their back doors. The park can be accessed from every direction is town. There are trails or historical stone staircases coming from the west, east and north parts of the city and the Lincoln Avenue main entrance gates from the South End.

“This is a park for everyone,” she added. “It has always been meant to be a place to come and enjoy the peace and serenity that comes from such a beautiful 99-acre historic park. I located three old photos of portions of the park entrance back in the 1870s. I pictured in my mind what the entrance looked like back then and contacted an artist friend, Debra Kimball, asking her to combine all three of the photos to make a complete, straight-on drawing of the entrance and what it would have looked like in 1874. I was fortunate to have photos that she could work from during that time frame to create such a lovely ink drawing of the entrance,” she recalled.

“The three photos included the original old, brick caretaker’s house that was located at the entrance of the park. In the center of the drawing, Debra inserts the main gates with a horse and carriage and the beautiful, ornate, sandstone walls and columns entering the single lane, dirt road through the front-wrought iron gates. To the left of the main ornate gates was a little country store known as Bray’s,” she concluded.

“The old photo shows one of the owners standing out in front of it with her child,” she continued. “To the right of the store was a natural spring and water trough that allowed horses and visitors to rest and get a drink before beginning their journey up through the cemetery, which is now the park, to the place where their loved ones were laid to rest. This piece of art work is so special that we had it included on the first sign coming into the park. It will also be included on the cover of my book, “The History of Beatty Park, 1797-1994.”

“Even if a visitor doesn’t want to read all the words and histories on all of the signs, some — even grade-school children, enjoy looking at the old photos and drawings.”

This special park hold many memories for VerStraten-Merrin and she is looking forward to the upcoming walking tour so she can share with community members historic, interesting facts of which most people are not aware.