Published: November 11, 2008 10:07 am      

Martindale park to be dedicated Sunday

Facility will be named after Allen Bates

On what would have been his 51st birthday, a piece of Allen Bates’ hometown will be named for him.

At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16, the Martindale community will hold a dedication ceremony for the “Allen Bates River Park” on the San Marcos River adjacent to downtown Martindale.

Festivities will include reading a proclamation, unveiling a new sign and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

An oak tree already planted at the park will also be named the Allen Bates Oak.

The park opened to the public a year ago. The property where it sits had been bought by FEMA following the disastrous flood of 1998.

Community members pieced together grants and other donations to add a playscape, picnic tables, benches, barbecue grills, a basketball court and walking trail. Local volunteers did all the heavy lifting and other hard work.

Allen and his wife Harriet owned and operated Southwest Plumbing. He held a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Texas State University.

Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.