CRESTVIEW — Triangle Park, situated at the south end of Main Street where it meets State Road 85, will be renamed for the local garden club that voluntarily assumed responsibility for beautifying the public park.
Speaking before the Crestview City Council at its Monday evening meeting, Thea Duhaime of the Dogwood Garden Club invited council members and the public to the formal dedication of newly named Dogwood Park on April 25.
Councilman Tim Grandberry suggested because the park is situated in a prime location to serve as an entrance to Crestview's historic heart like the Niceville intersection of S.R. 85 and State Road 20, landscaping could help define the area.
"Make it more colorful," Grandberry encouraged. "Let them know where you're at."
Councilwoman Robyn Helt praised the club's work and suggested the Community Redevelopment Agency could help fund more improvements to the park, which is frequently used by workers in the area for eating their lunch and customers waiting to have their vehicles repaired at nearby garages.
"I appreciate the club's efforts to keep it beautified," Helt said. "The city could do a little more to help you, to bolster the partnership with the club."
"Anything else we can do, we're open to suggestions or requests," Duhaime said.
In other matters, the council:
•Received a request from City Clerk Betsy Roy to start considering budget planning for 2013-14. She suggested using nights when the council isn't meeting for planning sessions. Council President Ben Iannucci III asked the council to be "open to weekend planning sessions" as well.
•Received a report from Mayor David Cadle concerning a visit from a resident suggesting the city council pass a resolution to the Florida Department of Health to allow for a trauma center to be designated in Okaloosa County.
"As you know, the closest trauma centers are in Pensacola and Panama City," Cadle said. "We need a trauma center in Okaloosa County."
•Received a report from Public Works Director Wayne Steele stating he and Community Police officer Sam Kimmons continue to work on plans for a skate park in Twin Hills Park. They are meeting with Crestview High School students to obtain input from potential skate park users so they can finalize a report for the CRA meeting planned for March 25.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Triangle Park to be renamed for Dogwood Garden Club