Polks at Preservation Park statues, pocket park upgrades to be revealed Nov. 3

Jay Powell, Columbia Daily Herald
·1 min read
Scale models of James and Sarah Polk were created as part of the Polks at Preservation Park, which will feature life-size bronze statues created by local artist Jennifer Grisham.
Scale models of James and Sarah Polk were created as part of the Polks at Preservation Park, which will feature life-size bronze statues created by local artist Jennifer Grisham.
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A project long-in-the-making will be revealed Friday, Nov. 3, bringing both an uplift to a beloved downtown pocket park, but also paying tribute to arguably Columbia's most-famous family.

It is also a project that city leaders planned for the sake of increasing local tourism by acknowledging Columbia's history as the former home of a U.S President in a new, more visual and interactive way.

More: Columbia artist works to complete Polk statues for Preservation Park opening

The Polks at Preservation Park is scheduled to be revealed at 4 p.m. Friday and will include comments from city and Maury County leaders. It will also be the city's first look at the pocket park's new renovations, its main feature being two life-size bronze statues of former President James K. Polk and First Lady Sarah Childress Polk, which were commissioned to and created by local sculptor Jennifer Grisham.

Preservation Park sits across from the James K. Polk Home and Museum at the intersection of West 7th and North High Streets. The park is set to receive an update, including new bricks, landscaping and bronze sculptures depicting James and Sarah Polk.
Preservation Park sits across from the James K. Polk Home and Museum at the intersection of West 7th and North High Streets. The park is set to receive an update, including new bricks, landscaping and bronze sculptures depicting James and Sarah Polk.

"The central focus of the park are life-size bronze statues of President James K. Polk and First Lady Sarah Polk, symbolizing the importance of President Polk's legacy and the rich history of Columbia," A City of Columbia press release states. "The Polks at Preservation Park is strategically located directly across the street from the James K. Polk Home & Museum, offering a unique opportunity for historical reflection and a place for the community to gather."

Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Polks at Preservation Park statues to be revealed Nov. 3