Mural in works for park

College student proposes artwork to brighten Chardon Living Memorial Park

Molly Hegner was a freshman at Chardon High School in 2012 when a 17-year-old gunman opened fire in the building, killing three children and wounding three more.

In the aftermath, creating art was an integral part of her healing.

Now a junior at Ursuline College, she proposes adding art to Chardon Living Memorial Park. The project — planned on 17 acres at 220 Basquin Drive — is to serve to honor the lives lost, celebrate the survivors and acknowledge the community that came together following the tragedy.

“It seems so simple, but art is very powerful,” said Hegner, who is minoring in studio art and treasurer of Ursuline Endless Art Healing club. “Everyone deals with tragedy in their own way, and art is where I learned to channel my feelings. I love the Chardon community and enjoy giving back to it in any way I can.”

So, on May 11, after recruiting the help of fellow art students, she approached Chardon City Council with her idea to paint a mural for the park. Her dad, Terry, helped raise funds for the memorial.

The design would be similar to the park logo, depicting children at play amid maple leaves. Council approved the idea with the caveat that Public Service Director Paul Hornyak help determine the size and location of the mural.

It initially was proposed for plywood that would be mounted to the side of the chalet building near the park property.

“I don’t necessarily care for it on the chalet,” Councilman Jeff Smock said prior to voting. “(That’s) my personal opinion. I’m OK with the mural, I just don’t like it on the chalet.”

He suggested that the artwork be mounted on posts and moved within the park. That was the consensus among city officials.

Councilwoman Deborah Chuha asked about maintenance down the road.

Hegner expressed confidence that members of the art healing club and another arts organization would be glad to provide touch ups, as needed.

“I am also the treasurer of a club called SAO (Student Arts Organization),” she said. “We do lots of community service projects in these groups and, since a majority of members are art or art therapy majors, we have a good background in creating art. I proposed the mural to the group members, and everyone loved it and were willing to help.”

Paint and supplies have been donated by Sherwin Williams, and there is no cost to the city.

“Some may see a mural as mundane, but I can say that if art can put a smile on my face, then I know this mural will bring a smile to at least one person,” Hegner said.

Meanwhile, the park project has yet to begin. Proponents had hoped to see underway this season.

Dale Griffis of Chardonbased Cold Harbor Building Co. is donating his services to construct Phase 1, which involves a fitness center, a play center, a reflection shelter, an asphalt path that connects those features, and associated benches and monuments. The remainder is a fitness trail and path through the woods.

Griffis is working on getting budget numbers, a schedule and donations lined up. Once complete, he will meet with city officials to discuss starting construction, City Manager Randy Sharpe said.

Phase 2 will be addressed once Phase 1 is complete, officials said.

SUBMITTED This is the mural proposed to be part of Chardon Living Memorial Park. City Council approved the content, but the location is to be determined.