D&D General Gary Gygax Park Bench Dedication

Today (Thursday 27th July) a dedication ceremony for a park bench dedicated in memory of D&D co-creator Gary Gygax is taking place in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA. The notice was posted by Gygax's daughter Heidi Gygax Garland.

Additionally, Gygax's wife Gail shared an image of a proclamation by the mayor of Lake Geneva announcing Gary Gygax Day. Thursday 27th July was Gary Gygax's birthday.

 

[FEADIN]

Hello, there’s also the memorial with the big D20 somewhere.

 

[Mannahnin]

Hello, there’s also the memorial with the big D20 somewhere.

Where's that? I thought that was a concept which was being discussed at one point but hasn't been built.

 

[Nikosandros]

Where's that? I thought that was a concept which was being discussed at one point but hasn't been built.

There is a memorial plaque close to a fountain, I think (I've never been to Lake Geneva).

 

[Mannahnin]

There is a memorial plaque close to a fountain, I think (I've never been to Lake Geneva).

View attachment 291670

I have photos with that one.

It's pretty small. I thought he was talking about a "big" sculpture of some kind.

 

[Nikosandros]

I have photos with that one.

It's pretty small. I thought he was talking about a "big" sculpture of some kind.

IIRC, they are planning a big sculpture with a stone table. The plaque is what currently exists (in addition to the newly dedicated bench, of course).

 

[bedir than]

Yep, plaque at the Riveria on one end of the beachfront park and at the other is the bench.

 

[Eyes of Nine]

Kind of feels like it would be cool to have the plaque on a picnic table, so folks could come and run a game there in the park

 

[Mannahnin]

Kind of feels like it would be cool to have the plaque on a picnic table, so folks could come and run a game there in the park

Their current main memorial idea is a statue and table for people to game at.

Gygax Memorial Project — Gygax Memorial Fund, Inc.

www.gygaxmemorialfund.org

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Kind of feels like it would be cool to have the plaque on a picnic table, so folks could come and run a game there in the park

These kind of civic memorials are a one size fits all approach typically, decided upon after bringing in paid consultants, public meetings, etc. City officials almost certainly don't want to open the can of worms by changing the agreed-upon process.