Library Statue Relocated Due to Damage, Vandalism

Observant citizens and avid Patch readers contacted us recently asking what the heck was going on with the statue outside of the Safety Harbor Public Library.

It seems the iconic piece, depicting three children playing on a shore made of colorful mosaic tiles, was being removed, with the cement platform that made up the base going the way of the jackhammer.

Naturally we had to follow up on this item of community interest; who knows, maybe there was a juicy back story befitting a place filled with ... so many juicy stories!

What we uncovered wasn't some Da Vinci Code-like plot or a tunnel leading to an underground chamber hiding Pennywise the killer clown, but something much more mundane: the statue had to be moved due to a combination of moisture damage, vandalism and improper installation.

"The artwork has been an issue since it was installed," City Manager Matt Spoor told Patch. "The mosaic tile has been peeling off since day one. The artist and City believe the platform (plinth) was not installed correctly."

"The platform removal is a result of the issues we have had with the artwork since day one, both vandals removing the bronze statues and the mosaic tiles not adhering to the surface," he added. "It should have been solid and we believe that the hollow platform caused moisture to negatively react with the mosaic tile cement, thus not adhering properly to the surface."

OK, mystery solved. More befitting the Hardy Boys than Stephen King, but ...

Still, the question remains: what will happen to the fun piece depicting kids running and playing, seemingly without a care in the world?

"The platform itself is going away and the artwork is being moved to either in front of the Library by the flag pole or the Museum," Spoor said.

"The PAC (Public Art Committee) is going to find a use for the mosaic tile which can be saved. They will also discuss the new location for the artwork."

Library director Lisa Kothe said she hopes the piece, which was created by artist Jim Smith in 2005 as part of the Baranoff Oak park project at a cost of $40,000, is relocated to the area right across from the previous location.

She believes the statue is a part of the library and she would like it to stay on the grounds.

"I would like the statue to remain at the library, right in front of the flag pole in that area," Kothe said.

"It was originally meant to be a part of the library and I think it should remain here. But we'll see what happens."

On a side note, a preservation project for the Baranoff Oak is set to begin next week. The removal of the statue is not directly connected to the project, according to the city.

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