Cheryl Rutledge asked the Parks Commission for the second time last week to have her sculpture placed in Basin Park. About a year ago she notified Parks Director Justin Huss of her desire to construct and weld the sculpture to be placed in Basin Park. Huss said he preferred Harmon Park, but she was welcome to address the commission.
Over the past year Rutledge spent hundreds of hours and significant money creating a sculpture that pays homage to the native people who found life in the healing waters of Eureka Springs – specifically Basin Park.
In June and July, Rutledge presented her request to Parks. She said the most difficult part of building the sculpture has been trying to get the city to commit to its installation.
In June, Parks referred her to the Springs Committee to locate an agreeable site for installation. The subcommittee did not find a location so Rutledge came back to the commission in July, but there was no item on the agenda for discussion or consideration of the installation.
Rutledge asked why there was no agenda item addressing her request. Chair Bill Featherstone said, “Sorry for the omission, Cheryl that was not intentional.”
Then Chris Fischer approached the microphone and said, “Clearly Parks is not comfortable with making this decision.”
Fischer openly recommended that Rutledge find another route for approval of the installation, such as the Arts Council, headed by the mayor.
Featherstone said if Rutledge does not find favor with the Arts Council for installation of the sculpture to come back to Parks and they will address it.
Rutledge responded, “I would have liked to have had this information a couple months ago.” She thanked Fischer and left the meeting.
Rutledge went to the Arts Council last week and was not offered any city property to place her installation. The head of the Transit department, Smitty, said he was not interested in placing it on Transit property at the top of Planer Hill.
Mayor Butch Berry said he didn’t know what happened at the Parks Commission meeting but suggested Rutledge find a private property owner who would agree to place the installation. Berry suggested Blue Spring, eight miles west of Eureka Springs. Berry said Rutledge was not interested in that location.