Barclay Park dedicated Friday

City officials and community activists will gather on Friday, August 1, at 5:30 p.m. for the official dedication of the Harold and Dorothy Barclay Memorial Park.

The park is located on a decommissioned portion of Ash Street adjacent to The Gallery Restaurant. It was named in honor of two of Sisters' pioneering spirits.

Harold Barclay was instrumental in helping Sisters' transition from a resource-based economy to a tourist-based economy. He provided the impetus for the creation of Sisters' Western architectural theme. The theme provided an identity for the little town and created an interest in Sisters as a tourist destination.

The Barclays developed Barclay Square on Cascade Avenue and Dorothy owned or had interests in several businesses in Sisters.

Construction proceeded at a blistering pace. The official groundbreaking was held on March 7 and the restrooms were open and the park was essentially completed by Rodeo weekend in June.

The new park has already fulfilled its mission of providing a rest stop in the downtown core, complete with much-needed public restrooms. There is an extensive water feature and there are several wooden benches.

The restrooms have been very heavily used, according to Sisters Public Works Director Gary Frazee. The park itself has been used both as a rest stop and for last week's old-time Gospel Meeting hosted by the Booher Family of Sisters.