Bench to remember Ryan Bench to remember Ryan (March 18, 2005)

Colorful mosaic will depict his favorite things

Val Vista Community Park will soon be the site of a new piece of art - a mosaic tile bench created in memory of Ryan Gordon, a Pleasanton teenager killed at the age of 18 in a boating accident in the summer of 2003. The free form bench was OK'd by the City Council at its meeting earlier this month.

"Thank you to the Gordon family for giving us this opportunity to honor your boy," said Mayor Jennifer Hosterman. "It's going to be a beautiful, beautiful piece of art and will be a great addition to our park."

Curt and Valerie Gordon are donating the art in memory of their son, and it depicts the activities he enjoyed, such as soccer, skateboarding, swimming and snowboarding.

"The public reaction has been positive," said Jim Wolfe, director of Parks and Community Services as he presented the project to the City Council. "It represents the activities important in Ryan's life."

The Gordon family met with city staff throughout the fall of 2003 to determine the best type of commemoration for their son. Oakland artist Dmitry Grudsky developed the model for the curving bench.

The model has been on display at the library and at the proposed site in Val Vista park. Public comments ranged from "highly favorable," citing its sense of fun, design, color and graphics, to "unfavorable." Some of these respondents said they preferred a more classic style. Others expressed concerns about comfort and maintenance issues.

"Concern was expressed that we not just look at mosaic benches but a number of things," Wolfe said, adding that Pleasanton also has memorial bronzes.

The Ryan Gordon bench was also reviewed and approved of by the Civic Arts and the Parks and Recreation commissions. The Youth Commission also reviewed the model and was enthusiastic.

Staff is working with the artist to be sure there are no rough edges on the bench, and extra tiles are being created in case any become damaged. The artist will begin the bench this month and it should be dedicated this fall.

The Gordon family paid for the design, creation and delivery of the artwork. The city has paid $3,500 for the services of an art consultant to choose an artist, as well as $750 for its installation. Funds came from the Civic Arts administrative budget.

Curt and Valerie Gordon have also established a scholarship fund in their son's name, for a deserving graduating senior on the Foothill boys or Foothill girls soccer teams. -Dolores Fox Ciardelli
Memorial art in town

"Pat's Bench," also a mosaic bench, was installed at Kottinger Park in 2000, donated by Sandy Milne as a tribute to her husband Pat in memory of the many happy hours he spent walking the Kottinger Park trail. The library is the site of three bronzes donated by families in honor of their loved ones: "Girl Reading," "Once Upon a Time," and "Leap," a whimsical winged bronze frog with a stack of books.

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