Hardmeyer - City Magazine

Nestled on the northwest corner of Broadway
Avenue and Washington Street, Custer Park has few
of the amenities found at other parks, boasting only
of “bench and flower gardens” in the park district’s
listing of parks, playgrounds and other facilities.
But this tiny park has more than history going
for it, including a large wooden stage where “brown
bag” free concerts are held at noon on Wednesdays
in the summer.
And then there is the soaring eagle. In 1988,
a large eagle statue created by Washburn artist
Tom Neary was dedicated, commemorating the
bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. It carries the
inscription, “We, The People.”
Yet, some people thought this metal bird should
alight somewhere else, promoting other sites they
felt were more visible to the public. But many in the
neighborhood and others countered that the eagle
had landed . . . and was just fine.
For Waylon Ternes, another Custer Park
neighbor, the park simply represents a nice, quiet
area to live. “It’s peaceful, relaxing,” he says.
Stan Stelter, development director at the Abused
Adult Resource Center, is a native North Dakotan
and free-lance writer.
Photo Credit: Mandy Thomas
Are you prepared
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September 2009 21