Statues long part of plans for river park
Books have been written about the history of the Yuma Crossing and there are several studies that are available to peruse. Many, many Yuma people have served on the Yuma Crossing Park Council and committees and commissions.
Statues in the Yuma Crossing Park (wetlands) have been proposed for over 40 years - just waiting for people to collect money to commission a specific recognition of an event or person or group that made an impact on the Yuma Crossing.
This could include a Spaniard on a horse, Father Garces, the Army of the West, Native Americans, Jean Bautista de Anza, Father Kino, Jose Redondo, Mary Elizabeth Post, the riverboats and many other groups and individuals that made an impression on the development of the greater Yuma area.
Trails led to our location to cross the once much wider Colorado River. People were leaders. Recognition can be done by statues depicting such, which is art in public places.
Private money will be used for commissioning the statues that will be donated to the city of Yuma with some additional money to maintain them.
Having a foundry is intended to show an historical occupation. It's in the 1983 master plan for the park.
EMA LEA SHOOP
Deputy Mayor
City of Yuma
