2024 Annual Meeting
PATRICK SULLIVAN
Patrick Sullivan, Executive Director of Parks, Building and Recreational Management, was our first guest speaker at our Annual Meeting on May 23rd. His title is: He spoke about the bronze bas relief that was commissioned by the Friends of Springfield Parks and was unveiled on October 12, 2023. He shared that the bas relief bronze sculpture is 8 feet tall by 6 feet wide. The front of the sculpture depicts long-time Park Superintendent, Theodor ROBERT Geisel and his son, Theodor SEUSS Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Director Sullivan pointed out the various animals and activities that surround the father and son on the sculpture. Surprisingly, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates is the step-daughter of Theodor S. Geisel and the artist who sculpted the bas relief. The back of the bas relief is a summary of the impact of Forest Park in the lives of Theodor R. Geisel and his son, Dr. Seuss.
ALEXANDER SHERMAN
Our second and last speaker was Alex Sherman. He is Springfield's City Forester and his office is located in the Forestry Building on the grounds of Forest Park. He explained that there is a tree nursery at the park and those trees are eventually on the streets of Springfield, planted at various city parks or placed near schools. The forestry division provides maintenance and horticulture service for over 2,400 acres of park and land forestry services. Forester Sherman explained the ecological, economic and social benefits of trees. The Forestry Division works closely with the U.S, Forest Services which uses Forest Park as a living lab to conduct their studies about oak regeneration in urban forests.