Authors' Park and Brick Ceremonyhttps://www.commercepubliclibrary.org/localhistory/authorsparkhttps://www.commercepubliclibrary.org/++resource++plone-logo.svg
Authors' Park and Brick Ceremony
Authors Park overlooking Downtown Commerce
What was once an eyesore of litter, debris, and overgrown grass and weeds on the empty lot adjacent to the public library at the corner of Park and Main Streets is now an attractive small park, thanks to a group of caring Commerce citizens. The land is owned by the city of Commerce and, as indicated in the deed, is to be designated specifically for library use.
In 1999, as a Big Event project (an annual one day event to beautify Commerce), the Commerce Public Library and the Literacy Program sponsored the clearing of the lot and added simple landscaping to the area. In 2000, the coordinators of the Big Event decided to expend the work done on the improved lot by designating it as "Authors' Park" and devised an elaborate landscaping plan that included the installation of a sprinkler system and the fourteen-foot gazebo.
In 2002, a commemorative stone with a plaque containing the names of financial contributors to Authors' Park completed the three-year project. Many social clubs, businesses and individuals gave freely of their time and money to make the park a beautiful addition to Commerce.
In 2023, Ashley Bryan and her Girl Scout Troup, in cooperation with the City of Commerce, created a Pollinator Garden in the Park.
In 2004, the idea to honor local authors and artists during the Big Event was developed. Otha Spencer was the first to be honored as a local writer by placing a brick with his name engraved on the walkway directly in front of the gazebo. Since then many others have been added:
List of Commerce Public Library's Authors' Park Brick Recipients
