MADISONVILLE, KY (WFIE) -
Glema Mahr died almost three years ago and left her 265 acre estate to the City of Madisonville.
City officials talked about many different ideas on Wednesday, but something that everyone agreed on was honoring the heritage of the land.
"The sky's the limit right now. We're open for all ideas," said city administrator Mike Franklin.
Glema Mahr left her mark on Hopkins County, thanks to her generosity. On Wednesday, city officials talked about ways to let the entire community enjoy the land she once owned.
"We discussed and talked about what she hoped to have happened after she was gone and it's very exciting now to see it start to come about," said Barbie Hunt, friend and trustee of Glema Mahr estate.
Park committee members agreed this will be a passive park, and not an active one.
"A passive park would have trails, a lot of arboretum, flower gardens, things of that nature and that's kind of what Mrs. Mahr's dream was," Franklin said.
Other possibilities include a paved bike and walking trail, use of the nearby lakes, and incorporating art throughout the park. Hunt says it's so important to be creative seeing as Glema spent much of her time at the art center on the community college's campus.
"Imagine sculptures, or teaching children about art and about rocks and nature. In her world they all went together," Hunt said.
The city will hire a professional to design and construct the park and use the nearly $3 million left from a trust fund. Franklin says right now they have it narrowed down to three finalists.
"It's like a blank canvas of natural beauty and it's so important for us to make the right selections on what goes in there," Franklin said.
City officials expect to hear design proposals from the final three architects sometime in September.
We'll keep you updated on any progress.
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Park committee members agreed this will be a passive park, and not an active one.
