After six years as an idea, a children’s art park is starting to come together in Marathon. With cooperation from the State of Florida and the City of Marathon, a vacant overgrown lot is slowly turning into a space for the community to enjoy. Lori Gaukel, owner of Shady Palm Art Gallery in Marathon, is sprucing up the lot adjacent to her gallery and next to the entrance to the Marathon Government Center. Using a newly purchased push mower, and with contributions from Sunbelt Rentals (a chipper) and Paradise Towing (that volunteered to move two donated Manatee statues), Gaukel said her vision is to create a park that emphasizes children’s imagination. Photo by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly
