Commemorative benches to be installed in Mill Stream Park

VALLEY CITY — The Valley City Community Group is working with the Liverpool Township trustees to create a commemorative bench program in Mill Stream Park. This township project will have 12 benches installed throughout the walking path in the park. Each bench will be dedicated to a current or former member of Liverpool Township after a person or family purchases the bench. Some benches will have backs and others will not depending on their spot along the trail. Currently there are only three benches around the trail. Dave Kruse, a director of the Valley City community group, said the additional benches will further encourage people to use the park. "They're great benches," he said. "They're going to last forever and it's going to really make the park look nicer." Since Mill Stream Park is located in a flood zone, the benches will be made of recycled plastic lumber, Kruse said. These benches should have greater longevity than traditional steel frame benches with wood slats. "They last long. They don't rust. They don't deteriorate," he said. "I mean they are just built to last." A bench with a back will cost $2,000 while a backless bench will cost $1,900. The engraved message can be up to 50 characters long with no advertising or promotional messages allowed. To purchase, fill out the donation form at bit.ly/38ieKHo and mail it or take it to the township office with a check included. Once the benches are sold, the township will pour concrete pads to anchor the benches. The township is the sole owner of the bench. Benches will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Kruse said the benches are selling quickly. Six benches have already sold, including one dedicated to Kruse's wife, who died from COVID-19. "I was like the first one to purchase one in memory of my wife and it's in a park that she loved," he said. "We used to walk the park and she loved the park." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.