From staff reports
November 11, 2008 11:07 am
—
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.
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