The Shawnee Dispatch / Holman awarded for Pioneer Crossing Park

Archive for Tuesday, May 13, 2008

May 13, 2008

Dispatch staff reports

The Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association has presented Shawnee Parks and Recreation Director Neil Holman with an award for his vision and leadership in the acquisition, preservation and historic trails interpretation in Pioneer Crossing Park.

Pioneer Crossing is at the east entryway to the city on Shawnee Mission Parkway and features two sculptures designed by local artist Charles Goslin. Goslin's original sculpture of a wagon train has been re-created in a life-size, three-dimensional brick monument. The sculpture of Dick Williams, wagon master, is created in native limestone and bronze.

Pioneer Crossing Park includes native grasses and plaques commemorating each of the pioneer trails that crossed through Shawnee city limits: the California Road, Fort Leavenworth Military Road, Santa Fe Trail, and Oregon Trail.

Talking points

Do you think Veterans Day should be a prominent holiday?

Absolutely. We wouldn’t be able to sit here and eat lunch like this if it weren’t for the veterans. We’ve got millions of people that fought and died to save this country; it should be more than a bank holiday.

— Byron Arthur

More responses