HOBART | A Hobart man will be able to pay tribute to his late wife by placing a poem she wrote on a park bench at Festival Park.
The Park Board on Monday approved Michael Gregor's request, with a few changes, after tabling the item last month.
Park Board President John Hevel said concerns for Gregor's original request had been in regard to its location and form.
Gregor last month told the Park Board he wanted to place a 3-by-4 foot granite marker at Festival Park near the band shell a few feet off Lake George.
The rock-shaped monument would be inscribed with a poem his wife wrote 40 years ago to honor Hobart titled "City By the Shore."
Hevel and other board members said they loved the sentiment and the poem but felt it would be better featured on a park bench.
"Would that be appropriate?" Gregor's daughter, Sue Foddrill, asked.
Member Charlotte Sills said kids could deface a monument as was initially suggested by Gregor.
"I suggest a bench then a plaque on the bench so that all could see it," Sills said.
Gregor was told to get together with Park Superintendent John Mitchell to purchase the all-steel bench and order the plaque for the poem.
Gregor also was told to work with Mitchell on finding a location, other than behind the band shell where another project is planned.
"It will be nice," Foddrill said.
Gregor's wife, Joan Gregor, 74, died in a Jan. 28, 2011, house fire at 18 Old Ridge Road, Gregor said.
The fire was sparked by a lit candle, Hobart firefighters said at the time.
Gregor initially said he planned to pay tribute to his wife's memory by purchasing a brick and having it placed on a walkway in the park where she loved to spend time.
"But I feel she deserves more," Gregor said.
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