By Kerri Williams

WESTPORT — Residents will need to wait until the new year to check out a new public work of art at Grace K. Salmon Park. 

The sculpture had originally been slated for installation in early December, but the logistics of getting it delivered from Norwalk have pushed the date to mid-January, said Kathleen Bennewitz, town curator.

The sculpture, named “Tulip Bulb” by Emily Teall, is one of three approved this fall for installation in town parks. The sculptures are on loan for five years, and the artist gets a stipend for each year the work is displayed in town.

“Tulip Bulb” will be delivered to the park on a flat bed truck, according to Bennewitz, which is complicated because of construction in the area. “We need to work with the city,” she said. It will be mounted on a concrete pad that has already been installed at the park.

After the January installation, a dedication will take place, with the theme of looking forward to spring and tulips. The sculpture, which is made of steel lattice in the form of leaves and other organic shapes, is the perfect symbol of the coming season, Bennewitz said.

 While waiting for the sculpture, residents can enjoy other improvements at Grace K. Salmon Park completed by the Parks and Recreation Department this fall. The maintenance project included improving the walkway around the 3.8-acre park, doing tree work and controlling invasive plants. 

Working to contain the phragmite, a common invasive reed, has “opened up the sight lines,” Parks Superintendent Michael West said last week. “It’s pretty cool.”

Several members of the Parks Advisory Committee said last week they have visited the park to check out the work. Members lauded improvements in safety and to the view.

“It’s been such an eye opener,” said Velma Heller, chair of the committee. “Each time I come back, the ability to walk with my dog is better.”

Two other sculptures recently approved for display in town parks by the Parks and Recreation Commission for town parks are “Enso Black” by Marc Zaref at Eloise A. Ray Park and “Egrets” by Babette Block at Canal Green Park. 

The “Arts in the Parks” sculpture project began in 2021 with installation of the “Rock, Paper, Scissors” sculpture by Kevin Box at the Westport Library.

Kerri Williams is a freelance writer who has worked in journalism for years, including as a reporter for the Norwalk Hour and managing editor of the Norwalk Citizen-News.