Chester celebrates completion of Rock Springs Park mural
Craig Howell BIG FINISH – A mural, commemorating the history of Rock Springs Park, an amusement park which operated in Chester from 1897 to 1970, is complete. A dedication ceremony was held Saturday.
Craig Howell OFFERING THANKS – Artist Kyle Holbrook and members of the Montani Outreach Movement welcomed Chester residents Saturday in dedicating the completed mural commemorating the history of Rock Springs Park.
Craig Howell LEAVING THEIR MARK – Through an underpainting process, area residents were able to contribute to the mural, with elements showing through the finished piece. Those included handprints contributed by pupils from A.T. Allison Elementary School.
Craig Howell BIG FINISH – A mural, commemorating the history of Rock Springs Park, an amusement park which operated in Chester from 1897 to 1970, is complete. A dedication ceremony was held Saturday.
Craig Howell OFFERING THANKS – Artist Kyle Holbrook and members of the Montani Outreach Movement welcomed Chester residents Saturday in dedicating the completed mural commemorating the history of Rock Springs Park.
Craig Howell LEAVING THEIR MARK – Through an underpainting process, area residents were able to contribute to the mural, with elements showing through the finished piece. Those included handprints contributed by pupils from A.T. Allison Elementary School.
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CHESTER - Hancock County now has a piece of public art commemorating an amusement park which entertained generations of area residents.
Saturday morning, during Chester's Independence Day festivities, area residents joined members of the Montani Outreach Movement and artist Kyle Holbrook to officially unveil a new mural located under the Jennings Randolph Bridge.
"This mural stands as a tribute to the beloved Rock Springs Park," explained M.O.M. member Lacey Cline in welcoming those gathered under the bridge.
Rock Springs Park was an amusement park, located on property where the bridge now stands, which operated from 1897 until 1970. Many of its major features are included in the mural, including a carousel, the Cyclone roller coaster, the Virginia Gardens dance hall, a Ferris wheel, and more.
Holbrook, a Pittsburgh-born artist who has painted murals and other projects around the world, offered his own thanks to the Chester community, noting many stopped by regularly to speak with him, offer support, and check out the progress.
"I've been getting love from the community every single day," he said. "It's been an honor to be a part of Chester."
In the early stages of the painting, an underpainting was performed, allowing residents to leave their mark in the work. Through the process, small sketches, the names of local businesses, and handprints from pupils of A.T. Allison Elementary can be seen through the finished mural.
The Montani Outreach Movement was founded by Cline, Cara McMahan, Megan Eckleberry, Brittany Budney and Payden Wells with a goal of enhancing Hancock County through community revitalization projects.
They said they hope the mural brings back memories for those who were around to experience Rock Springs Park, and spurs the curiosity of those who weren't to learn more about its history, while serving as a reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together.
Initial funding for the mural was provided by the Hancock County Savings Bank Foundation, with additional donations and fundraisers helping to close the gap for the project.
Organizers also offered thanks Saturday to the Chester Volunteer Fire Department for pressure washing the bridge pier prior to the painting, Frank Six for providing a lift to assist Holbrook during his painting, and Nancy Wright for designing an ornament used as a fundraiser.
"We are truly grateful," Cline said. "Every contribution, large and small, made this happen."
The Montani Outreach Movement members promised this would be the first of many projects in service to the community to be organized by the group.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)