The Statue of Liberty replica located in Oakdale Park is set to undergo restoration starting in early October. Salina Arts & Humanities and the Parks & Recreation Department have selected local artist Rich Bergen to repair and restore the sculpture at his studio in Salina. The restoration process is expected to take six to eight weeks. Along with the statue, the identifying plaque will also be removed for cleaning and repair. Concrete work on the sculpture's base will be completed during this time.
Earlier this year, the limestone structure supporting the statue was cleaned in preparation for the upcoming restoration. The restoration project is part of the Community Art & Design (CAD) Committee's ongoing efforts to maintain Salina's public art collection, which is subject to wear from harsh weather conditions. The statue, a part of a nationwide project led by the Boy Scouts of America in the 1950s, was identified as a priority for restoration.
