SPRING - 2008

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Police Athletic League of Zanesville- Muskingum County (PAL) teamed up Saturday with efforts to keep a neighborhood city park alive. 

With the FOP supplying the materials and the PAL supplying the personnel, Cuddy Dixon Memorial Park at the end of Hedgewood Avenue was given another face-lift with clean-up, new paint and what every park needs- used. 

PAL’s Boxers, Wrestlers and Youth Leadership Council participants worked for several hours on the project and were rewarded at the conclusion of the job with a picnic complete with hotdogs, potato chips and watermelon. 

FOP President K.C. Jones, Vice President Tom Porter, Secretary Pam Exline and members Ptl. James Devoll and Dep. T.J. Hartmeyer, Kelly Severt Mike Kline and Brady Boyden from PAL all assisted in the project for the park.  “Cuddy Dixon” is the boxing fight name for Henry Ritchason of whom the park is named for.  Ritchason was a Zanesville Police officer killed in the line of duty according to K.C. Jones.

“Cuddy Dixon Park in years past was the central part of the neighborhood and families years ago” said Brady Boyden of PAL.  “They used to have families come out and picnic there complete with movies that were shown on the oversized basketball backboards,” said Boyden who has lived in the neighborhood his entire life except for his time in the U.S. Navy.  Boyden also pointed out where a bridge used to cross the creek to merry-go-rounds and a large playground that over doubled the current size of it now. 

“No one was drafted- they all volunteered for the project,” said T.J. Hartmeyer.  “Too many of the small neighborhood parks and playgrounds are being forgotten that kids used to spend their free time in,” he said.  “Kids want a place to go, be active and to socialize and are on the streets unless someone has the time to take them someplace nowadays without the neighborhood parks- that’s why they all volunteered to help.”