Circular Seating Area to be Constructed in Buckley Park

Despite some residents' concerns about the loss of green space in , the Whitefish Bay Village Board authorized the construction of a 16-foot-wide stone seating area on the north end of the park Monday night.

The , dubbed a "council ring," was brought forward by the family of Geoffrey Farnsworth, a former Whitefish Bay Middle School teacher and coach who last year. The Farnsworth family has agreed to pay the construction and maintenance costs for the structure, but it would be owned by the village.

With the board's approval Monday night, the family plans to begin construction in spring, said Village Manager Patrick DeGrave.

Monday night's meeting was the third time trustees have discussed the Farnsworth family's proposal, and , Lake Drive resident George Svoboda said he thought the seating area would cut down on the amount of green space open for recreation. He reiterated those comments Monday night, and brought a petition with 31 of his neighbors' signatures who also objected to the placement of the structure.

"It really diminishes the wide open area of the park that has existed for decades," Svoboda said.

Trustees voted 5-1 to authorize the construction of the council ring, with Trustee Kevin Buckley casting the sole opposing vote. Buckley sought a compromise with trustees on the location of the structure, but other trustees forged ahead.

"I think the council ring is great, and I think honoring him is great, but I think it should be in a different location," he said. 

The proposed wall, standing 1 foot, 6 inches tall and spanning 16 feet, 4 inches in diameter would be located about 75 feet north of the flagpole in the park and 46 feet from the sidewalk.

Trustee Richard Foster lobbied trustees to approve the council ring, saying it would not take a big bite out of the park space.

"My mother once told me if someone gives you a gift you don't go back and ask for something else," he said. "I think this council ring is a very modest but elegant tribute to what (Farnsworth) stood for and believed in."

Trustee James Roemer agreed, saying it is a fitting tribute to Farnsworth.

"I think it's part of this village’s DNA to recognize those that take care of our kids, and there’s no question Geoff is one of those people," he said.

Five residents spoke in support of the council ring, including Anne Davis.

“After talking to many people about this issue, they are very much looking forward to a place to sit,” she said. “For me, I think it’s actually an enhancement to the park and an enhancement to the green space.”