The City of Fayetteville honored the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks today for its donation of public transit stop bench to benefit patrons of the bus stop located by Hillcrest Towers at the northeast corner of School and Center Streets. During the bench dedication, Mayor Lioneld Jordan recognized the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks and its Director Gerald Klingaman, members of the Dickson Street Neighborhood Association, and Fayetteville Resident Clay Bass for their actions that made the bench possible and presented them with a certificate of appreciation.
The need for a bench at this location was brought to the forefront by the Dickson Street Neighborhood Association, and this bench that was donated by the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks was handmade by craftsman Clay Bass of Fayetteville. Mayor Jordan spoke of the importance of public transit, the benefit of this stop having a bench, and he recognized Larry Floyd, who is a manager at Hillcrest Towers, and Phil Pumphrey, who is the Director of Ozark Regional Transit.
Mayor Jordan stated, “The City of Fayetteville thanks Clay Bass for his craftsmanship of this bench and donation of his labor of love that will serve the public for years to come. The City also thanks the Dickson Street Neighborhood Association for its identification of a need for a more comfortable place for public transit passengers to await their bus and the neighborhood association’s go-get-it attitude to recommend this solution of a bench donation to the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, which immediately answered the call with action. And, with the fine masonry work of the City of Fayetteville’s Transportation Department, the bench was installed and is now used daily by the public.” Mayor Jordan added, “This demonstration of partnerships for progress is what makes Fayetteville such a wonderful place to live, work, and play. This donation of an idea for the bench, donation of the bench, and donation of labor in creating the bench demonstrates a forward-thinking and acting bond that benefits many.”
Sitting: Gerald Klingaman, Cathy Bass, and Clay Bass; Standing: Larry Floyd, Gail Goodrum, Mayor Lioneld Jordan, Don Marr, Judy Grisso, and Phil Pumphrey. Photo: City of Fayetteville Volunteer Photographer Fred Cusanelli.
