Bronze Medallion Unveiled at the Joseph Farrell Memorial Fishing Pier

A locally crafted bronze medallion featuring a sailboat and compass rose was unveiled on the Joseph Farrell Memorial Fishing Pier in November 2016. Pictured from left to right is former Mayor Bill Cervenik, Joseph’s wife Ginny Farrell, State Representative Kent Smith, Mayor Holzheimer Gail and Senator Kenny Yuko.

On a crisp autumn afternoon in early November, Mayor Holzheimer Gail welcomed a crowd of two dozen elected officials, community stakeholders, artists, engineers and family members of the late former City Council President Joseph Farrell to his namesake pier in Sims Park.

The event unveiled a four-foot diameter bronze medallion which was sculpted by Cleveland-based artist Ron Dewey and cast by Euclid artists Lisa and Mark Olitsky, owners of Studio Foundry. The medallion’s design, by the City of Euclid’s Community Projects Manager Allison Lukacsy-Love, was inspired by SmithGroupJJR’s waterfront banners and compass roses often seen on nautical structures.  The medallion sits on the northern end of the pier.

Among those gathered was State Representative Kent Smith and Senator Kenny Yuko, former City of Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik, Councilwoman Charlene Mancuso and Councilman Daryl Langman as well as representatives from the City’s staff and police department. Ginny Farrell, wife of Joseph, and daughter Katie and her three children were recognized along with their extended family in memory of Joseph.

“It is so special to have the Farrell family with us this afternoon to unveil this unique piece of public art,” remarked Mayor Holzheimer Gail. “Joseph’s dedication to public service and commitment to education touched the lives of thousands of people in and around our community. His life’s work continues to burn bright in the memories of those who were fortunate to know him.”

Mayor Holzheimer Gail also recognized former Mayor Bill Cervenik and his previous administration’s work to advance lakefront development. The medallion was always part of the initial design of the pier, which finished construction in 2013. The design and production of the medallion began in late spring 2016 with the medallion set in place on November 1, 2016 thanks to a joint effort between the City’s Planning and Development Department and the Service Department.

The original fishing pier at Sims Park was dedicated to Joseph Farrell, who passed away on March 20th, 1997. The current pier was re-dedicated in his honor on August 10th, 2013. It was built as Phase I of the Waterfront Improvements Plan, an ambitious project prioritizing public access to the City’s lakefront and the enhancement of our shoreline amenities. The unveiling of the medallion occurred shortly after the submission of permits to the regulatory agencies for Phase II of the plan, which includes the development of a three-quarters of a mile multi-use trail as well as the stabilization of the central shoreline, the creation of a coastal habitat and the formation of a paddle-craft beach. Phase II improvements will begin construction in 2017.