Sunday, April 18, 1999
Trail, fields to honor slain student
BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP — Construction should begin in the next few months on a park to honor Stephanie Hummer, the 18-year-old Finneytown resident killed in 1994 during her freshman year at Ohio State University.
The township's board of trustees agreed Tuesday to a transfer of property that will turn over to them about 15 acres from Stephanie Hummer Memorial Projects Inc.
The vacant ground will be turned into the township's newest recreational park, with soccer fields, a walking trail and memorial garden.
The property had been given to the Hummer trust and Stephanie's parents, Dan and Sue Hummer, by Procter & Gamble Co., with the understanding that it be developed and maintained as a park in Miss Hummer's memory.
Mr. and Mrs. Hummer had been working on a fitting memorial for their daughter, who had graduated from Finney town High School in 1993 and was a freshman at OSU when she was found slain near campus five years ago.
Stephanie was a bright and popular student at Finneytown, involved in activities and sports, especially soccer.
The park, along North Bend Road near St. Xavier High School, should be ready for play by next spring, township officials said.
“This is one step closer to seeing a dream come true,” Mr. Hummer said. “We've been working very hard to establish or build a memorial. We wanted to come up with something that returned some thing back to the community. It was the generosity of Procter & Gamble that triggered the whole thing. We worked with the township to ensure that a first-class park will be built on that site.”
Trustee Tom Bryan said the park will be named for Miss Hummer and also be a tribute to her family. Mr. Hummer is president of the Finneytown Athletic Association.
“She has had an important role in the community, and certainly her family has had an important role,” Mr. Bryan said. “It's one way for the community to recognize the contributions that they've made over the years.”
Said Trustee Joseph Honerlaw: “It's going to be a first-rate park when it's done. It will probably be one of the nicest parks in the township. The Hummers have really done a lot. They've done a lot to preserve the memory of their daughter, and she was an exceptional person.”
Trustee Gwen McFarlin said that in addition to offering recreational opportunities, the park is a “wonderful contribution to the memory of Stephanie Hummer.”
The park will be constructed in three phases. The first will entail excavating, grading, putting in drainage and an electrical and water system, paving a parking lot and completing half the hiking trail.
The second phase will add a concession stand, restrooms, play and picnic areas, and walkways. The third phase will complete the trail and light the main soccer field.
The project is expected to be done in 2005. The estimated cost is $900,000.
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