New Xmas lights illuminate park

SANDUSKY — Washington Park looks more merrier than ever. When the Holiday Lighting Ceremony occurred on Nov. 29, which officially kicks off the holiday season in Sandusky, many noticed plenty of new sights and lights all around Washington Park. They'll remain on through Christmas and the first few weeks of 2025. Collectively, in 2024, the greenspace went through the most vibrant changes — in terms of light displays and other festive decorations — in decades. "Washington Park is an important historical attraction in the city throughout the entire year, and new features are always significant while also keeping and refreshing some of the more traditional displays," said Jason Werling, the city's recreation superintendent. Werling answered some questions about the illumination improvements: • The decision: "The city of Sandusky's parks and recreation staff selected several new displays after a visit to other holiday displays in the region. Greenhouse staff also installed uplighting for many of the trees throughout the park, a new feature this year." • The financial means: "The city receives donations each year from various community members and the Sandusky Community Celebrations Council. Dick Gallagher of the Friends of the Sandusky Greenhouse also donated many hours of his time to repair and repaint the Jack in a Box display, the toy blocks and the nativity figures." • The additions: New features include: — Two fiberglass Nutcrackers near the Cookie House — A sleigh photo opp in front of a lit-up floral clock — Six massive candy canes in the park's southwest quadrant — Uplights underneath various park trees — A light display representing a Santa Claus catching fish, which also "jump" out of the water — Cutouts featuring three penguins and three deer for photos — Hoop lighting surrounding the Boy with the Boot fountain; People can walk underneath these hoops or arches. — Paint on the Jack-in-the-box, toy blocks stacked up and the nativity scene — A Christmas bulb photo opp by the Red Popcorn Wagon Additional improvements scheduled for next year include redecorating the larger-than-life snowman and Santa, which did receive new faces this past season; repainting the two hippos; and making various interior repairs at the Cookie House. • The subtractions: "City greenhouse staff repurposed several arches from previous displays to create the display around the Boy with the Boot fountain. There were also choir figures on a base that were removed from the base and placed around the Washington Park gazebo." • The cost: "The city invested roughly $30,000 with the addition of about $5,000 in donations for the purchase of new items for Washington Park."