City, Rotary Club of Lincoln dedicate new park signs

Lincoln is justifiably proud of its 40-percent open space requirements for all new developments and its many local and regional parks. Parks are more than amenities. They bind communities together and make our city a special place. They increase a sense of community and a shared understanding of our common local history. For many years, the Rotary Club of Lincoln has installed "naming" signs at city parks, recognizing those individuals who have made a positive impact on our community. The current list of these naming's are 15 placements. Rotary members, with the help of the Lincoln Area Archives Museum, have researched and written biographical sketches of these individuals. The program's goal is to acquaint residents with these individuals who have contributed so much to our community. The cost of the signs has been paid by the Rotary Club. On Nov. 24, Rotary Club members installed the latest of these park signs in the Independence neighborhood on the city's northwest side. The four parks within that subdivision have been named after the four military branches and after four Lincoln veterans who served honorably in each of these branches. Honored were Admiral Busey IV (Navy), Corporal Elton "Sandy" Sandstad (Marines), Sgt. Daniel Peter Vasion (Army) and Lt. Colonel Ira "Shooter" Eadie (Air Force). "The Lincoln City Council has done a wonderful thing by naming new parks after residents who have made a positive impact on our community,"project lead Jerry Johnson said. "The Lincoln Rotary Club has also done a significant community service by purchasing and erecting signs that explain to park visitors who these people were and why they warrant having a park named after them. These signs create a sense of community by sharing our common past."