By Emma Rausch
emma@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH,IN Nearly a month after its completion, Mammoth Park was officially dedicated during Wabash First Fridays on Aug. 5.
The garden patio, located at the intersection of Wabash and Canal streets, replaced an empty gravel lot and was one of several beautification projects provided through Deluxe Corporation’s Small Business Revolution.
Tyler Karst, Wabash Marketplace Inc. project manager, thanked the small crowd for attending the park’s dedication.
“First Friday is an awesome event and it is my pleasure that we can dedicate this awesome Mammoth Park as well,” he said. “Many thanks to all the donors that have backed public parks here in the community who have helped establish different parks. … We couldn’t have done this without them.”
The park also would not have been possible without Deluxe Corporation, a Minnesota-based company, according to Karst.
“When they were here weeks ago, they wanted to find an art project to do and Mammoth lot, at that time, became that project,” he explained. “With their dedication, with the public donors, with Hoffman’s Nursery and with all the great businesses downtown, … with all that hard work, we’re able to have this piece in Wabash.”
WMI will be dedicating two plaques to the park.
“They’re (currently) being made,” Karst said. “The first plaque will say, ‘Mammoth Park: Dedicated to the citizens of Wabash Aug. 5, 2016. Donated and sponsored by Deluxe Corporation with the Small Business Revolution.’”
The second plaque will also read “Mammoth Park: Wabash Marketplace Inc. project,” he continued.
“Downtown has gone through a transformation these last four years,” Karst said. “It’s awesome to see how the community has come together. … You really feel a community vibe. … Like I’ve said before, Wabash is second to none. Thank you all for coming tonight and look forward to what Wabash can do from here.”