Half-ton Wrought Iron Memorial Bench to be Installed at Hendricks Park

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05/31/05 TUE 17:15 FAX 541 682 4882 EUGENE PW MNTNC & POS PW ADMIN X001 E U G E N E Parks and open S~ece N E S R E L E A S E www.ci.eugene.or.us/parks May 31, 2005 ~OhITACT: • Gordon Wylie, Eugene chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, 683-2720 • Ginny Alfriend, Hendricks Park, 682-5324 • Therese M. Picado, Parks and Open Space Public Information Specialist, 682-4814 or 682-4800 I~OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nall-ton Wrought Iron Memorial Bench to be Installed at Hendricks Park Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1, at 9:30 a.m., a crane will set ahalf--ton, 12-foot iron bench in place ajt Hendricks Park in memorial of Grant Chase, long-time member of the Eugene chapter of the American f~hododendron Society. The bench will reside in the small summit lawn of the park's internationally- ri~noMrned rhododendron garden, off of Biroh Lane across from the F.M. Wilkins Shelter. When Chase, owner of Chase Plumbing & Heating, died unexpectedly 10 years ago in a tragic aVcctident, his family and friends knew immediately that they wanted to memorialize Chase's love of hardening and in particular rhododendrons with a memorial in the Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden. VNJheh his friend and fellow rhododendron society member, Gordon Wylie, met Jerry Carlin, designer of o~mamental iron work, at a home show several years later, the idea was conceived to create a simple, but d'~urable, bench in the garden in Chase's memory. "Though it weighs a half ton, it conveys simple elegance and is not overwhelming," says Wylie. AYccording to Wylie, the bench and its location in the garden is a fitting memorial to Chase. "Grant was a gaardening fan and rhododendron nut, and really enjoyed the garden in the park, especially because of the rtlhodpdendron society's historic roots to the garden," says Wylie. "Besides being an enthusiastic member of thie rhododendron society and very enthusiastic about plants and gardening, he was a really nice guy and always had a smile on his face." When Chase died, he had only recently retired and was looking fonniard to serving as the rhododendron sogeiy's president the next year, as well as spending more time in his own gl~rdt;n. The inscription on the bench refers to his great love of nature. A memorial dedication of the bench is tentatively planned for this fall. For more information about the memorial bench for Chase, call 683-2720. For more information about the City's park donation program, call 682-4907. For more information about Hendridks Park, call 682-5324.