John Irvin, the Rotarian instrumental in creating the Chillicothe Rotary Foundation, read the wording of the historical marker honoring Dr. and Mrs. Simpson during an unveiling and dedication ceremony held on Friday. The marker was provided by the Chillicothe Rotary Foundation. Dr. Simpson and his wife, Alta, donated the land for the park to the city of Chillicothe in 1926.

C-T Photo/Megan Neis

August 28, 2006 - A dedication of a historical marker in Simpson Park honoring Dr. and Mrs. Simpson who donated the park ground to the city in 1926, was held in the park on Friday. Several Rotary Foundation members, city officials, family members and citizens of Chillicothe, were in attendance at the dedication ceremony. The historical marker was donated by the Chillicothe Rotary Foundation and the area surrounding the marker was landscaped by the Chillicothe Parks and Recreation Department. The marker is located west of the playground area and is visible from both the road and the walking trail.

Barbara Lame, president of the Rotary Club of Chillicothe, opened the ceremony on Friday by explaining how important the park has been to her and her family throughout the years. David Molina, president elect of the Chillicothe Rotary Club, said a prayer during the ceremony. Tom Ashbrook, representing the local Rotary Foundation, explained that the historical marker was a project of the Rotary Foundation which does capitol projects throughout the community. According to Mayor Todd Rodenberg, of all the parks in Chillicothe, Simpson Park is the best known and most widely used. He explained the many events and festivals held in Simpson Park including the Chautauqua and the Chillicothe Car Show. “On behalf of the city of Chillicothe, I thank the Rotary Foundation,” said Rodenberg. Ron Keith, president of the Chillicothe Parks and Recreation Board, also expressed his gratitude to the Rotary Foundation for their contribution of the marker at Simpson Park. “Not a week goes by that I don't come out to the park,” Keith said, explaining his memories and experiences at Simpson Park. Keith also extended thanks to Ed Crawford, Chillicothe Parks and Recreation Department director, and his employees for landscaping around the marker and choosing such a great location to display the marker. “We had one goal in mind,” Crawford said. “To have the marker be read from the trail and the road.”