Resident Raises Funds For Park Bench
Opting for hugs instead of handshakes, local resident Philip Taylor received thanks from the city of Lexington last Friday morning at Jordans Point Park.
Having enthusiastically raised money and donated it to an improvement project for the park, he was honored in a small ceremony with a plaque on the very bench made possible by his efforts.
Jordans Point Park has been undergoing a multiyear improvement project, including adding benches along its walking trails.
Patrick Madigan, director of public works for the city of Lexington, introduced the honoree and thanked him for his “quick work” in raising the money to contribute to the bench project, which will have a total cost of $15,000.
“Philip and his friends with the guidance of Breanna Heinz, his adult care giver, wanted to help and volunteer with the JPP effort,” he said. “Philip immediately went to work and started fundraising and came up with $1,000 in a few months.”
His contribution was used for the construction of the bench that now sits along the river next to where the old covered bridge once stood.
The fundraising effort was a journey of crochet for Taylor. He made and sold crocheted items and holiday gifts.
“We started off strong selling the handmade coozies. We had donations come from people we didn’t even know, all from word of mouth,” Heinz recalled of the start of their endeavor. And even when sales came to a halt during the colder months, Taylor was determined to meet his goal. His perseverance never wavered and he met his $1,000 goal in January 2024.
He had to wait over a year and a half but he was finally able to see the fruits of his labor and sit on it this summer.
Instead of buying premade seating, Madigan commissioned the benches in-house. Public works employee Cody Taylor designed them. So far there are four benches, made of pressure- treated wood, that have been constructed and installed by the Lexington public works construction crew.
The bench that was dedicated to Philip Taylor is looking out at, “Probably one of the best views here in Rockbridge County,” City Manager Tom Carroll remarked.
Reflecting on the impact of his donation, Taylor said: “I’ve always wanted to give something to the community.”
With his contribution to the project, his hard work and caring effort, the benches at Jordans Point Park will be what Carroll described as something “people are going to enjoy for years to come.”
