Grosse Pointe's Neff Park eagles get
new perches, thanks to foundation

After more than a century, the eagles are falling off their perches. The eagle sculptures in Neff Park in the City of Grosse Pointe, that is. The bases of the statues are badly deteriorated, but the City of Grosse Pointe Foundation has come to the rescue.

"I want everything in tip-top shape for the 100th anniversary year of the Park," said Chris Hardenbrook, director of Parks and Recreation for the City. "Past residents were visionary in acquiring and developing the Park, and we need to respect and preserve their legacy." Major restoration of public artwork was not in this year's budget, however. Falling tax revenue means that exceptional expense outlays, like the restoration of the eagle statues, could be delayed for years.

That's where the City of Grosse Pointe Foundation stepped in. Hardenbrook approached the group with his problem and asked for help. The trustees approved funding for the entire project and offered assistance with evaluation, planning and resources for the project. Requests for the proposal were sent to several area restoration resources, and Grosse Pointe residents experienced in managing historic stone restoration projects provided valuable advice.

This process resulted in a cost that was less than initial estimates, which allowed for a "legacy" benefit. When workers laser-scanned the foliate base, which will serve as the model for two new, sculpted limestone bases, they also scanned an entire eagle sculpture. The City will have a 3D, laser-scan digital file, in case repair or restoration of the eagles is ever needed. "It's a great way to preserve these well-loved features of the Grosse Pointe landscape and to ensure that they can be maintained in the future," said Stuart Grigg, the City of Grosse Pointe Foundation trustee assigned to the project.

Work began the week of July 18 with the laser scanning and will include pouring expanded concrete foundations to raise the statues so that the entire, sculpted surface will be above the pavers. The brick pavers and surrounding landscape will be modified to help keep water and winter snow removal efforts clear of the statues.

The eagle sculptures flank the gatehouse at Neff Park. Ongoing research suggests the eagles were installed and possibly cast by Nicholas Zauner, resident of the City and employee of the maintenance department. His duties included the cement and brick projects for the City. The eagles are from the early 1940s. The eyes were once painted blue on one side and red on the other.

An identical pair of eagles is installed atop entry gateposts at Kirk-in-the-Hills Presbyterian Church in Bloomfield Hills. The original sculptures or related facsimiles are said to be located in Scotland.

The City of Grosse Pointe Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1985. The goal of the group is to make improvements that would not otherwise be funded by City taxes. All contributions to the group are tax-deductible. More information can be found at their website.

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