Head, Heart, Hands and Health: A.B. Graham Memorial Park

By Karen Stretch, regional editor

The idea for the A.B. Graham Memorial Park in downtown Springfield, Ill., was developed when the Turner Foundation (a local organization in Illinois) asked MSI Design firm to design a setting for the A.B. Graham statue that is located in the park. MSI then came up with the idea to install four, 14-foot-tall ?EUR??,,????'??H?EUR??,,????'?? structures to represent the 4-H club, which Graham founded.

When a permanent home was needed for a statue of A.B. Graham, founder of the 4-H organization, MSI Design firm created a small, tranquil park in downtown Springfield, Ohio to remember the man who dedicated his life to the betterment and education of children.

The Roots of 4-H

In 1902, A. B. Graham, a native of Springfield, Ohio and superintendent of rural schools, founded a club that revolutionized agricultural education and would eventually be named, 4-H – the H’s signifying Head, Heart, Hands and Health. The organization of 85 members is said to have been the nation’s first farm club for young people. In the basement of the old Clark County Courthouse, now the A. B. Graham Building, the first meeting of the farm club was held. The intent behind the meeting was to learn more about harvesting corn, planting gardens, testing soil samples, tying knots in rope and identifying natural wildlife such as weeds and insects. Prizes were given for each area of study to recognize the efforts of all the members in executing projects.

This bronze statue of A.B. Graham was created by sculptor Mike Major and serves as one of the main focal points of A.B. Graham Memorial Park. Lacebark elms and feather reed grass are visible in the background, as well as the four ?EUR??,,????'??H?EUR??,,????'?? structures that represent the 4-H organization.

Given the success of Graham’s “out-of-school education program,” Ohio State University created a plan to aid in the club’s research through the use of the Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture. In time and with the influence of Ohio State University, additional youth agricultural clubs were established throughout Ohio. By 1905, there were over 2,000 youth within sixteen counties partaking in programs similar to that of Graham?EUR??,,????'???s agricultural club. Becoming something of an ambassador for agriculture through extension, Graham sought to raise the standard of rural life. He stressed the dignity of hard work and sound character, and he taught that agriculture could be improved by applying the ideas of science. In 1916, fourteen years after the first courthouse meeting, the Ohio 4-H organization officially began with the establishment of the Department of Boys and Girls Club Work.

With the roots for 4-H deeply rooted within Ohio, the 4-H program has since spread to all 50 states and internationally to more than 80 countries around the world. 4-H is no longer only for members of the farming community, but extends into the suburbs and inner cities all over America. Membership is open to all youth between the ages of 5-10 and all are welcome regardless of cultural, economic and social backgrounds. Even with the many changes in society today, Graham’s basic aim for 4-H remains the same: “The development of youth as individuals and as responsible, productive members of the community in which they live.”

Lighting placed in the crossbar of each ?EUR??,,????'??H?EUR??,,????'?? structure illuminates the 4-H creed, ?EUR??,,????'??Head, Heart, Hands, Health?EUR??,,????'?? embossed in the grating below. Uplighting was installed near the lacebark elms in the planters.

A Lasting Legacy

Because of Graham?EUR??,,????'???s impact throughout Ohio and the United States, he was chosen by The Turner Foundation (a local foundation working for the improvement of life in Springfield and Clark County through investment in community non-profit groups) to be included on the Springfield sculpture walk. In an ongoing project for the city of Springfield, a Statue Advisory Committee was formed to create and place statues of famous residents of Clark County. MSI Design firm of Columbus, Ohio was contacted by the Turner Foundation to develop a setting for the statue of Graham. Richard Espe was the partner-in-charge of the A.B. Graham Memorial Park project and said that from start to finish, the 4,000 sq. ft. ?EUR??,,????'??pocket park?EUR??,,????'?? took about six months to complete. The site on which the park sits is directly south of the A.B. Graham Memorial Building and as far as anyone can tell (based on records and historic photographs), the site as always been an empty lot.

The hardscaping of Graham Park is simple yet elegant; 1,038 sq. ft. of Bellcrest 500 sand mold bricks (2-1/4?EUR??,,????'?? x 3-5/8?EUR??,,????'?? x 7-5/8?EUR??,,????'??) from the Belden Brick Company were used to pave the park; some are engraved with donor?EUR??,,????'???s names. Instead of a traditional cement border, a precast copping piece by Unilock was used as an edge border throughout the park. Due to the small size of the site, an elaborate irrigation system was not needed. A simple system by Rainbird was installed to maintain the plantings.

A.B. Graham (shown here at the age of 17) founded the 4-H agricultural organization for young people. Since its beginnings in 1902, the 4-H program has spread to all 50 states and internationally to more than 80 countries around the world. 4-H is no longer only for members of the farming community, but extends into the suburbs and inner cities as well.

A Nod to Graham

In transforming the vacant lot into a tribute to one of Springfield?EUR??,,????'???s most famous residents, Espe incorporated subtle and not-so-subtle nods to Graham, like the use of feather reed grass to represent agricultural fields, alluding to Graham?EUR??,,????'???s work in the hybridization of corn with the first members of 4-H; to the giant, ?EUR??,,????'??H?EUR??,,????'?? sculptures that frame the interior of the park. The four, 14 foot tall structures were constructed out of steel by Tork, Inc., and represent the four H?EUR??,,????'???s of 4-H. The distressed steel surface of the structures represents Springfield?EUR??,,????'???s industrial past. Lighting was installed in the crossbar of each H and shines down to highlight grating where one of the four philosophical cornerstones of the 4-H movement (Head, Heart, Hands and Health) is engraved.

In transforming a vacant lot into a tribute to one of Springfield?EUR??,,????'???s most famous residents, the Landscape Architect incorporated subtle and not-so-subtle nods to Graham, like the use of feather reed grass to represent agricultural fields, alluding to Graham?EUR??,,????'???s work in the hybridization of corn; to the giant, ?EUR??,,????'??H?EUR??,,????'?? sculptures that frame the interior of the park.

As visitors enter the A.B. Graham Memorial Park, their view is framed by lacebark elms (Ulmus parviflora ?EUR??,,????'??Allee?EUR??,,????'???), which are reminiscent of the great forests that once covered Clark County and Ohio.

This metal grate, manufactured by Tork, Inc., was made to look like corn stalks, another subtle nod to A.B. Graham, who taught children of 4-H how to do soil tests, develop experimental plots of corn, and grow flowers from seeds. In the foreground are brilliant daffodils. More than 1,000 bulbs were planted in the park to provide springtime color.

Rising above the elms, the H structures serve as a backdrop to the well-crafted sculpture of its founder, A. B. Graham. The bronze statue of Graham, created by artist Mike Major, depicts Graham looking down at a young boy and girl who are studying an ear of corn. Each H forms a strong physical presence in the park and divides the garden into individual outdoor rooms allowing for quiet retreat. Bamboo was planted to screen a parking garage that sits next to the park. More than 1,000 daffodil bulbs were planted and bloomed in the springtime, carpeting the park with vibrant color.

At 4,000 sq. ft., the A.B. Graham Memorial Park in Springfield, Ohio is relatively small. However, what it lacks in size, it makes up for visually with a larger-than-life statue of Graham and four, 14-foot-tall steel ?EUR??,,????'??H?EUR??,,????'?? structures. The project is part of a plan to revitalize Springfield?EUR??,,????'???s downtown area. Designers from MSI Design in Columbus, Ohio, took only six months to complete the park which draws many of its visitors from nearby office buildings and a retirement home located nearby.

MSI Design was instrumental in the design and construction of the park, coordinating all aspects of the H-structure fabrication as well as detailing the laser cut creed plaques and grates within the park, which were constructed by Tork. Metal grates installed around the perimeter of the park where made to look like corn stalks, yet another nod to 4-H?EUR??,,????'???s agricultural roots.

The cement border outlining the interior of the park is actually a standard coping unit from Unilock. The benches in each of the park?EUR??,,????'???s outdoor rooms were manufactured by Landscape Forms and are made out of sturdy jarrah wood that comes from the jarrah tree, which grows only in south western Australia. The grasses growing in the planter, ?EUR??,,????'??Karl Foerester?EUR??,,????'??? (calamagrostis acutiflora), were chosen to mimic agricultural fields, which are found in abundance in Ohio.

Espe says that the park is part of a downtown revitalization that is taking place in Springfield. A new hospital is scheduled for construction near the park, which currently draws many of its visitors from downtown office workers as well as residents of a retirement home located across the street who come to relax in the tranquil setting.

The A.B. Graham Memorial Park has won many awards for landscape planning, conceptual design, constructed design and environmental design.

Student Merit
Freedom Landing, Cincinnati Jay Nordenbrock, Ohio State University
?EUR??,,????'???? for conceptual design