Matkin Memorial Plaza (at the Matkin Memorial Bridge)
09/11/10. The Matkin Plaza after the plantings have grown up. (jb)
09/11/10. Looking west toward the Loop Trail. (jb)
09/10/10. Looking east from the bench. (jb) Look at Judy Bales website.
09/10/10. Portrait of "Bill" Matkin on display. (jb)
05/30/10. Waiting for the Matkin Plaza dedication to begin. (jfr)
05/30/10. Fran Matkin waits with a granddaughter. (jfr)
05/30/10. Ron Blair introduces Judy Bales, the Plaza designer. (jfr)
05/30/10. Fran Matkin thanks everyone. (jfr)
05/30/10. One of the plaques describing the Matkin Bridge. (jfr) Read a PDF version.
05/30/10. Read the plaque -- and see the real bridge in the background. (jfr)
05/30/10. Close-up of Bill Matkin's drawing. (jfr)
05/30/10. All about Bill Matkin. (jfr) Read a PDF version. Read the donor plaque.
05/30/10. Refreshments are served. (jfr)
05/28/10. Two days earlier, looking at the almost-completed Plaza from the Loop Trail. (jfr)
05/28/10. The grass has grown since the bench and pillars were set up. (jfr)
05/18/10. Since the bench and pillars are here, plans must be consulted. (rb)
05/18/10. A crane drops them into place. (rb)
05/18/10. Judy Bales says it must be in the right place. (rb)
05/18/10. Careful!! The bench looks to be heavy. (rb)
05/18/10. Watch your feet. (rb)
05/18/10. Now they can relax. The plaques will be added later. (rb)
04/20/10. David Blair removes rock so that soil and prairie grasses can be added. (rb)
04/21/10. Brian Stains adds seeding and mulch. (rb)
04/20/10. The straw will help keep the moisture in the ground while the seed germinates. (rb)
03/31/10. The bench for the Matkin Plaza is being released from its mold. (jb)
03/31/10. Judy Bales designed the Plaza (see details further below). (jb)
03/31/10. This is one of the pillars for the Plaza. (jb)
09/12/09. In September, 2009, ground is being prepared for the Matkin Memorial Plaza. (rb)
09/16/09. Base stone was packed down where the concrete pad will be poured. (rb)
09/16/09. Judy Bales (designer) and Ron Blair inspect the Plaza site.
09/16/09. Judy and Ron walk back up the west trail to the bridge site (bridge crane behind trees).
10/25/09. Judy Bales displays the plaza proposal following the Bridge Inauguration. (kw)
10/25/09. A grant for this memorial plaza was obtained by Judy.
10/25/09. Judy begins her talk about the Matkin Plaza, which is off the Loop Trail to the left.
10/25/09. The talk moves to the un-finished plaza.
10/25/09. You will be able to see the bridge from here when the plaza is completed.
10/27/09. The form has been prepared. (rb)
10/27/09. Waiting for the concrete to arrive. (rb)
10/27/09. Time to get busy. (rb)
10/27/09. The front-end loader goes back to the concrete truck for more. (rb)
10/27/09. The vibrator helps gets rid of air bubbles in the concrete. (rb)
10/27/09. Now to use a screed to level it out. (rb)
10/27/09. The wide float brings the water to the surface and smooths it off. (rb)
10/27/09. Touching it up. (rb)
10/28/09. The next day they place the rebar and prepare to cover the concrete. (rb)
10/30/09. Waiting for the next batch of concrete. (rb)
10/30/09. The last pour of the floor is being smoothed out. (rb)
11/07/09. By now the Plaza floor has set up.
11/07/09. Next, the benches and signage will be put in place.
Photos by Jeff Fitz-Randolph, Ron Blair (rb), Ken West (kw), and Judy Bales (jb)
