[simage=2247,400,y,center]

Former Knoxville Mayor, Police Chief and park designer Harv Sprafka approached the Knoxville City Council at their meeting Monday to propose a name and dedication of the new Pocket Park. Sprafka requested that the park be known as Brooks Garden in honor of the late David and Stephanie Brooks.

David was the city’s park and cemetery superintendent and a member of the Knoxville Fire and Rescue Departments for more than two decades. Sprafka says David was a successful manager because he had three key ingredients: attitude, accommodation and affability. David stepped down from from his duties with the city in 1994 due to the deterioration of his health, as he courageously battled Multiple Sclerosis, a battle he ultimately lost in February of 2001.

Stephanie served as a dispatcher and administrative assistant at the Knoxville Police Department. Sprafka says she was loyal and committed to her job and to the Knoxville Police Department. Stephanie battled cancer with a positive attitude, optimism and spirit says Sprafka. She retired from the police department in the fall of 2008 and the cancer took her life too early in June of 2009.

Sprafka says “I fervently desire to have the pocket park dedicated and named in their honor – two loyal, committed public servants that gave so much of themselves to improve the quality of life in our community”. Sprafka adds that naming the park after the Brooks will also show appreciation for our Fire and Rescue, Parks and Cemetery and Police Departments.

The request will now go through the city’s facility naming process.

Tags: , , , ,