A creature, children connection in Coeur d'Alene

Paul and Alison Fleschner want to see more kids visit Seagrave Children’s Library at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. 

They're hoping a bear, a butterfly, a fox, a turtle and some of their friends will do the trick. 

“We want to show people there’s a wonderful children’s library here,” Paul Fleschner said Thursday morning as a colorful array of aluminum animals attached to the brick outside wall fronting McEuen Park were officially recognized.

The Children’s Library Critters project, which cost $18,000, was funded by the Larry Paul Foundation and created by artists Melanie Germond and Pete Goldlust. 

Paul Fleschner said the project started with his late uncle, Larry P. Fleschner, a lawyer and businessman who moved to Coeur d’Alene in 2004 with plans to retire. 

“He loved it here,” Paul Fleschner said. 

When Larry Fleschner died of cancer in 2007, he left much of his resources to establish a family foundation to fund charitable programs. 

Each year since, the foundation has gifted nonprofits and organizations with money for causes including vision, medical and literacy. 

Alison Fleschner, Paul’s wife, suggested the foundation support an art project at the Coeur d'Alene library.  

She visits McEuen Park often with their daughters and noticed there wasn't anything to grab the eyes of children and parents playing at McEuen Park so they would realize that a beautiful children’s library was inside the brick wall. 

“It needed something to draw more people to the children’s library,” Alison Fleschner said. 

That’s where Larry Fleschner’s legacy came in. 

According to the plaque unveiled Thursday, he had no children of his own, but did have a special relationship with nieces and nephews. 

Paul Fleschner said he has fond memories of his uncle reading "Huckleberry Finn" to him when he was probably 5 years old. 

“He would take them camping, horseback riding and riding in his convertible. Larry encouraged them to pursue their academic interests, to set goals and to follow through on their commitments,” the plaque reads. 

The Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission issued a national Request for Artist Qualifications on Jan. 1 of this year “for public art to visually enhance the McEuen Park side exterior of the Children’s Library.” 

The city received 77 applications and narrowed them to five before making a selection. 

The artwork is made of sturdy aluminum and is powder coated. It is mounted to the wall to allow room for drainage behind the pieces.

A deer, bluebird, squirrel, eagle, otter and fish are some of the other art creatures. 

The city’s General Services Commission on Sept. 9 recommended the City Council approve the project, which it did Oct. 1. 

No public money was expended for this project, a city report said, as the foundation paid for it.

LED lighting of the art project will be a separate funding from the foundation and installation is scheduled for next year.  

Administrator Troy Tymesen said it was an extension of the city's commitment to public art.

“I would suggest to you that this donation would not have come forward without the other art that’s been allowed to come to your community in a very public process looking for some of the finest artist in the Northwest to do their work and proudly display it here,” he said to the General Services Commission. 

Paul Fleschner said the colorful Northwest specific animal creations can be seen from a distance and should connect with the many children at McEuen Park in the summer.

City Councilmember Amy Evans believes it will.

"I think this is a perfect piece and is going to draw a lot of attention from the kids at McEuen,” she said.

    A child connects animals with colors outside the Coeur d'Alene Public Library during an unveiling of artwork on Thursday.
  

    A plaque commemorates the artwork outside the Coeur d'Alene children's library on Thursday.
  

    June Gittens looks at the artwork on the brick wall outside the Coeur d'Alene children's library on Thursday