The lighthouse bell tower at Pat Hennessy Park is crumbling and dangerous because kids try to climb on it, “and every time I mow I have to pick up rocks,” said Hennessey’s Parks Director David Treanor.

“It’s a safety issue,” he told the board during its special meeting Feb. 5 to discuss the town’s future needs and plans.

Treanor said Pat Hennessy’s grave and monument need to be restored.

The park is located at Iowa and Arapaho streets and there is little parking for visitors, said Mayor Bert Gritz.

He suggested they might move the grave to Memorial Park on Main Street as a more prominent and fitting resting place since the town is named after him.

Gritz said the land was donated by Mrs. Annette B. Ehler in the 1930s or 40s, and he didn’t want to tear down the bell tower for historical and nostalgic reasons.

“But I have no idea what the costs would be,” he said.

The town placed playground equipment at the park last year for youngsters in that area. That project was mainly financed by the town, along with $4,000 raised by Hennessey High School seniors in Hennessey United’s 2019-20 leadership class.

Students in that class competed for the best community project with funds from Enel Green Power Energy (Hennessey’s Red Dirt Wind Farm).

Preservation grants with the the Oklahoma Historical Society/Oklahoma History Center were suggested by Vicki Eggers of NODA who moderated the fivehour planning session.

The meeting included reports on these departments: water, sewer, streets, cemetery, police, fire, library and general government. There was no report on sanitation since the town outsources that service.

Criteria for park plans

“I think it would be good to consider lighting for pavilions and walkways,” Treanor told the board in a general statement. “Also, concrete pathways for handicapped individuals making playground and fishing areas more easily accessible.”

Signs used to identify parks should have the same look, or appearance, so as to link the park system together, or to create a theme, Treanor said.

Eggers suggested the town look into AARP grants for handicapped needs.

Treanor said his criteria for his planning proposals was first based on safety, then the “modernization and connecting all of the parks”

1-5 year park plans

Treanor said it’s important that the signage for each park to be the same throughout the town, then presented these plans and photos of the parks and problems:

Pat Hennessy Park (North Iowa and Arapaho streets) — Add drinking fountain, tear down “lighthouse” tower and pillars for safety. Replace sign with a modern one, restore grave and monument. Add a concrete walkway by the grave and completely around the monument (removing the stones).

Memorial Park (Main Street in front of grain elevators) — Professionally paint, or replace, welcome sign, add drinking fountain, replace old flagpole, refinish cannon.

Bull Foot Park (South end of town on U.S. 81) – Restock pond ($778 as of January), refinish bridge, replace concrete picnic table with metal one, add drinking fountain, update bathrooms (redo interior walls and fixtures), replace sign at south entrance and add a matching sign at north entrance.

Scout Cabin Park (Second and Cheyenne streets) – Restore and reinforce old well house tower adding a plaque with its history (or tear it down for safety), add drinking fountain. Note: Hennessey United applied for a Thunder restoration grant for the park last year, but has not heard back.

Water Park (Mitchell Road) – Add drinking fountains/water bottle filling stations and shade canopies for picnic tables and benches around splash pad, volleyball court and add exercise equipment for adults/ caregivers to children.

General – Replace and add grills in Bull Foot and Pat Hennessy Parks, purchase and replace 61-inch Scag mower ($9,300), purchase/replace two Stihl weed cutters ($350 each).

5-10 year plans

Pat Hennessy – Replace swingset with a four-seater and slide.

Bull Foot – Widen north road into park, increase parking lot, add a dog park, add exercise equipment for adults and children. Someone suggested that the town go west up the hill for more parking at Bull Foot.

Memorial – Add another pavilion with picnic tables. Mayor suggested adding lighting at the monuments. Audience suggested adding bathrooms and lighting throughout the park.

Scout Cabin – Rebuild basketball court.

Water Park – Add exercise equipment for children and adults.

General – Purchase/ replace 52-inch Scag mulching mower and 2 Stihl weed eaters.

10-15 year plans

Bull Foot – Build basketball court (west of parking lot), add a pavilion on the southwest side of pond.

General – Purchase/ replace 52-inch Scag mulching mower and two Stihl weed cutters.