Thursday, August 6, 2015

FORMER MAYOR to be honored in park dedication



Former Mayor Donald L. Zub will be honored during a park dedication at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7.

The City of Taylor last night proclaimed that a small neighborhood park on Haig Street between William and Dudley be named "Zub Park." The dedication will take place on August 7 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The public is welcome and free ice cream will be provided by Culver's.

Donald Zub was mayor of Taylor from 1977-81. Before that, he served on City Council for four years. In 1962, the Zub family moved into the neighborhood near that park. Zub and his wife raised three children and also have three grandchildren.

Before moving to Taylor, Zub served in the U.S. Army during the Korea War (1952-54).

Mayor Rick Sollars and the City Council proclaimed "Zub Park" during the August 4 council meeting. Councilman Charley Johnson, who grew up in that neighborhood and once played in that same park, read the proclamation and spoke glowingly of the former mayor as a friend, city official, veteran and neighbor. Johnson's brother still lives in the neighborhood.

Mayor Sollars credited Councilman Johnson, the entire council, parks department and the community development office with the renovation and naming of the park. Last summer, the Kennedy varsity baseball team volunteered to paint and rehab the park. Recently, thanks to the efforts of Community Development Manager Jeff Baum, federal funds were used to do further improvement including signage, a completely new playscape and new fencing between the park and neighboring homes.

"This has gone so well that we'd like to try and expand this program to other 'pocket parks' in the City," the mayor said.
Zub, who appeared in front of City Council along with his son, was moved. "This has been a tough day," he said, pointing out that he attended the funeral of a close friend earlier. "But I will remember this for the rest of my life."

The park is currently open. And again, the public is invited to the dedication ceremony and festivities at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7.

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