Articles

Spotlight On Lone Star JR Park

Posted on April 1st, 2024

Back in October 2019, our beloved hometown honored the legendary Johnny "Lone Star JR" Rutherford in a truly special way! 🌟 Johnny, a three-time Indy 500 champion, was commemorated with an American Racing Memorial Association historic marker right here in River Oaks. 🏆 Marker sponsor Bill Blaylock, along with Johnny himself, River Oaks Mayor Herman Earwood, ARMA Member Therese Eutsler, and ARMA Co-Founder Mark Eutsler, all joined in the unveiling ceremony at Coates Park.

But that's not all! In recognition of Johnny's incredible achievements and his deep ties to our community, Coates Park was officially renamed in his honor. 🌳🌟 Now, this approximately 0.6-acre space stands as a testament to Johnny's legacy and our pride in our hometown hero.

However, we believe there's more we can do to enhance this beautiful park. While it boasts some lovely trees, the Parks Board dreams of making it even more picturesque. 🌳✨ What are your thoughts? What would you like to see at this open space?

One idea that's been bouncing around is the creation of an Indy-track shaped trail! 🛣️🏁 Wouldn't that be a fantastic way to continue honoring Johnny and his remarkable racing career? Let us know your thoughts and suggestions! If you're feeling inspired and would like to contribute, you can make a tax-deductible donation to support the park's improvements. Every contribution counts, and even small donations add up to make a big difference. 💙

And a special shoutout to those of you who choose to donate $1 every month on your water bill – your generosity helps our parks thrive, with one quarter of each dollar going directly to their upkeep. 🌳💧 Thank you for your ongoing support! Let's work together to make Lone Star JR Park the pride of River Oaks! 🌟🏎️