For the week of August 7 - 13, 2002

Oasis of green 
unveiled in Ketchum

Memory Park contributed 
by Cimino family

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

An assortment of valley politicians and friends of the Cimino family showed up last Wednesday for a private dedication of the newly completed park on Main Street and Sixth Avenue in Ketchum.

Jim Cimino, who planned the park with his late wife Barbara, said he would name the oasis of green, Memory Park.

Enjoying the official opening of Memory Park in Ketchum are, from left to right, park patron Jim Cimino, Ketchum Councilman Maurice Charlat and Jan Turzian, owner of the Sun Valley Garden Center, which oversaw the park’s creation. Express photo by Willy Cook

The construction of the park took approximately 60 days to completion, said Mike Turzian, owner of Sun Valley Garden Center, which had total carte blanche to create the park. There is a water feature in the middle that is similar to one in Eagle that the Cimino’s admired and the kid-friendly one in Boise’s Centre on the Grove. It is surrounded by gardens and benches.

A custom-made gazebo with entwining aspen leaves is situated on a small hill.

The park will eventually have a sundial and drinking fountain as well as a wrought iron fence around it giving it a very European feel. In fact, the small pocket parks with dedicated benches in London inspired the Ciminos when they planned this park.

Memory Park will also have picnic tables and the raised gardens beds—now blooming with annuals—will be planted with perennials appropriate to high elevation gardening. Last fall, 5,000 tulips were planted there in memory of September 11.

"One of the things we hope is that people will use ii an alternate outdoor venue, for weddings, parties, functions," Turzian said. "All they have to do is ask."

Those interested should call Turzian at the Sun Valley Garden Center.

The dedication was followed by a catered luncheon by Cristina’s Restaurant, proving that parties on site were more than viable.

The park inspired Mayor Ed Simon and Councilwoman Chris Potters to discuss other plans—parks and hot spring pools—that they’d like to see in town. "It sets the standard for other things we’ll do around town," Potters said.

Of course, upkeep of the park is an ongoing affair and though the Cimino Foundation partially supports the park, "There are several affordable ways others can support it, too," said Turzian. For instance, bricks can be dedicated to loved ones in accordance with the memory aspect of the park.

The park is delightful with an unobstructed view of Baldy, parking right behind it, and many trees and plants.

In building this park, "Jim has issued a challenge to other lot owners to make them something usable. Class up the act. Do something other than for profit." Turzian said. "We need water, green and shade in this town."

And Memory Park is all that.

 

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