FARMINGTON — The Board of Selectmen agreed Tuesday to name the town’s new park at 144 High Street the Bjorn Park.
Of the 69 submissions from residents and non-residents, the most, a total of 33, suggested the name in recognition of benefactor Richard Bjorn, who donated about $74,000 to create the park on the town’s gateway property.
Eleven non-residents and 22 residents suggested the name, Town Manager Richard Davis told the board.
Considering Bjorn’s generosity, Selectman Josh Bell moved to name the park, agreeing with the 22 residents suggesting it. The 22 was still higher than other names suggested, he said.
A total of 28 park names were suggested in the 69 submissions.
The Norton Flat School House Park received 4 suggestions followed by Norton Flat Park with 3 suggestions.
The site, the former town garage property located between Farmington Falls Road and High Street, once housed a neighborhood school called Norton Flat School.
The need for the Norton Flat school diminished between 1910 and 1920. The Mallett School was built in 1929, Nancy Porter told the board in August.
A town garage was built on the property in 1939. It was replaced in 2006 with a new facility closer to the fairgrounds. The old town garage was torn down in 2007.
In August, Porter requested the school name for the park based on the history of the site.
Bell suggested adding a sign to the park similar to the Farmington Historical Society’s signs to “capture part of the history.”
The name, year and historical information could also be added to the stone in the middle, Davis said.
Board members thanked everyone who submitted suggestions.
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