Park proposal seeks contemplative memorial for Bay teacher

Whitefish Bay - The memory of a respected Whitefish Bay teacher and resident could live on with the installation of a proposed stone structure at Buckley Park.

The family of Geoffrey Farnsworth, a Whitefish Bay Middle School teacher and coach, has requested approval to construct a so-called council ring at the park, 4998 N. Lake Drive. As proposed, it would be comprised of a circular stone seating wall that is 18 inches high and 18 inches wide.

Jeff Rainwater, landscape architect of the proposed project, said the wall would consist of limestone, while the floor would be surfaced with flagstone and granular decomposed granite. A bronze memorial plaque in Farnsworth's memory would be placed at the site. If plans do move forward, construction would not take more than three weeks.

As designed, Rainwater said the council ring would have the capacity to house as many as 12 people at any given time and could be used as a site for congregating or contemplation.

Rainwater said the structure would be modeled after similar council rings, including the Lincoln Memorial Gardens that memorialize President Abraham Lincoln's longtime residence in Springfield, Ill.

Rainwater gave a presentation on the Farnsworth family's plans at a Village Board meeting Monday. Officials are expected to vote on the proposal later this month.

Farnsworth died in July at age 40 of cancer. He and his family - wife, Kelley, and children Addison, Gavin and Grady - have been Whitefish Bay residents for a dozen years.

- Dave Fidlin

NEXT STEP

WHAT:The Whitefish Bay Village Board could take action on the proposed memorial at Buckley Park.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Feb. 20

WHERE: Village Hall, 5300 N. Marlborough Drive