PENDLETON — Hope. Spirit. Rebirth.
These are just a few of the words people said come to mind when they look at The Friends Lending Library in Falls Park.
They were speaking during a
pandemic-delayed celebration to recognize the main contributors to the take-a-book, leave-a-book library; the event, which included a reception and plaque presentation, took place Thursday, April 15, at Pendleton Community Public Library.
Story continues below photos.
The Friends Lending Library — built into and on top of the trunk of a 100-plus-year-old tree that was mangled by the 2019 Memorial Day tornado — “represents our community,” said Coco Bill, Friends president.
Bill shared the story of how the project to turn the tree trunk into a meaningful park feature started as an idea during street-corner chat and became something that “just brought a lot of people together.”
The trunk, which has a circumference of almost 13 feet, is fitted with a built-in cabinet for books; it has a cedar-shingled roof structure with dormer window and chimney and has lighting tied into the parks electrical system, which lights the structure at night. The area around the tree is landscaped and features decorations during some festive times, such as at Christmastime.
During last week’s celebration, which had been delayed for months because of the pandemic, Bill presented plaques — as well as words of thanks and praise — to the individuals and groups that were instrumental in the project:
Chris Byer of Dependable Tree, who hollowed out the trunk and treated the wood
T.J. Farrar of Farrar Electric, who installed power and lights
Daniel Matthews of Rise Woodworking, who made and installed the book cabinet
Resident Pat Mattingly, for design and construction
South Madison Community Foundation, which awarded a grant for the project
Friends of Falls Park, a project partner that provided landscaping and other help
Friends of the Pendleton Community Library, a project partner that provides upkeep and book rotation.
Bill described the way the team came together as a “people who know people” phenomenon, where those with the skills stepped up willingly and gave generously.
“I can get emotional about it because it means so much to me,” Bill said.
It appeared to mean a lot to others at the meeting, too.
Joe Noel, president of Friends of Falls Park, gave the word “giggles” when asked what he thought of when he looked at the tree library, because when he goes to the park, “I see it.”
Prior to the start of the celebration, Mattingly, who lives close to the park, said he drives by the tree library area regularly, sometimes going out of his way to do so.
George Gasparovic, vice president of Friends of the Pendleton Community Library, said if it weren’t for those who helped with the project: “We’d still be staring at a dead stump down there.”
He said the tree and landscaped area provides a place that’s “magical” to children. “You provided that.”
