Upon entering Epworth Park and along Epworth Avenue, visitors are greeted by a bold red cardinal carved from a tree trunk set atop a stump. The story of how this carving came to be is quite unique with great ties to a community located in Bethesda, Ohio. Nestled in a grove of great Oak trees sits a park surrounding a small lake inhabited by a number of community members residing in vintage cottages. When a summer storm tore through this small village damaging a number of trees, the community and cottage owners association came together to preserve what remained of felled Oaks. Members commissioned a local chainsaw carver, Jeff Roscoe, to create a work of art that could be enjoyed by not only those residing in this peaceful village but by all who visit it. Although carpenter ants invaded and destroyed the original piece, artist Roscoe created the current cardinal offsite and later replaced the original work with it.
Original Cardinal
Today's Cardinal
Images © Brittany Hodgson