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An ad hoc group of citizens has been meeting on a proposal to address the fate of the Harmar Elementary School property and surrounding area, anticipating a Marietta School District move to dispose of that asset.
They want to start promoting the long-range idea of a Fort Harmar Park on that site before another type of use besides a school is established and it's too late to consider continued use of the land for historically designated "public common good."
The group, which has adopted the name Ft. Harmar Heritage Study Group, is composed of Erin Augenstein, Dave Baker, Wes Clarke, Bill Reynolds, Linda Showalter, Jean Yost and Tom Fenton.
Fenton appeared as group spokesman to make a brief presentation at Marietta City Council's Committee on Land, Buildings and Parks Monday night.
A Fort Harmar Park, as the group envisions it, would be a premiere West Side addition comparable in quality, historical relevance and physical attractiveness to the East Side's Muskingum Park. It could be a three-acre history-themed green space, as well as a riverside attraction adding to the desirability of the area for residential and commercial development.
Fenton emphasized to committee members Monday that the group in no way wants to take priority over other important projects already being envisioned, started or expanded, such as Start Westward Park, the Ohio River Museum, Harmar Bridge, the pocket park at Seventh and Putnam streets, and Gold Star Park.
But, he said, a case can be made that other than the city's mound formations, no Marietta location is more historic than the site of Fort Harmar.
"If the school board wants to keep their property for schools, we say, 'Go right ahead.' If the school board wants to sell it, though, we're asking that they please let the city and us know before they do that."
The park is a long-range idea to benefit the generations ahead, Fenton said. If people want to do it, there are three obvious steps: 1) agree it's a splendid idea; 2) investigate, design and get the money to pay for it; and 3) create and open the park.
"You don't need to consider steps 2 and 3 unless you complete step 1," he told council committee members. "We are asking that you consider step 1."