Grove Wall of Fame will be built, says community leader

For the past four years, the West Grove community has nominated role models whose names will be memorialized on a much heralded Wall Walk of Fame. There have been four Coconut Grove Wall Walk of Fame breakfasts where the awardees have received the community’s applause. But the wall that is supposed to contain the honorees’ names and photos has yet to be built.

The effort, however, has received a boost, said Rick Holton, president of the Coconut Grove Village West Land Trust, the nonprofit organization that is spearheading the wall project.

“It is a work in progress,” Holton said, “but things are starting to move much faster than they were before.”

After many long negotiations, a blueprint was drawn up that the city of Miami, architects, developers and Coconut Grove Land Trust agreed upon at a March 12 meeting. The project will take somewhere between $60,000 and $80,000 to complete, Holton said.

Although a date has not been set for construction, the site for the wall and accompanying walkway will be Virrick Park. Honorees will be honored with a photo and plaque stating their name and category of achievement. For $50 anyone can purchase a brick with their name or a loved one’s name that will be placed on the walk leading toward the wall.

“The wall will represent all of those folk from Coconut Grove who have given great contributions to the community,” Holton said.

Since the wall concept began, four to six community activists have been chosen annually in the categories of business, education, community activism, sports and medicine. Notable names such as astronaut Winston Scott and Olympic gold medalist Gerald Tinker are among the 20 or so people currently honored, Holton said.

“We envision something that’s going to be a destination,” Holton said. “When people come to Coconut Grove, we want this to be the place they just have to see.”

Nominations for the fifth-year awards will begin in May or June, Holton said. Nominations should be sent with the person’s name and a written explanation to the Coconut Grove Village West Home Owners and Tenants Association or to the Coconut Grove Village West Land Trust. Nomination letters should state why the person’s name deserves to be memorialized. A committee selects the winners who are announced at an annual Wall Walk of Fame Breakfast.

Although plans are advancing for the wall construction, the Land Trust is seeking more help from the community.

Jihad Rashid, president of the Coconut Grove Collaborative, an economic development organization, and other volunteers have helped out with the project, but Holton is looking for someone new to take a larger role

“It is time for younger leaders with fresh ideas to step up to the plate,” Holton said. “That is how young leadership is cultivated in the community.”

Attendance at the Wall Walk of Fame breakfasts has been low. Holton urged Grove residents to show support and make their community stronger.

Renita Ross Samuels-Dixon, one of West Coconut Grove’s representatives on the Coconut Grove Village Council, echoed Holton’s plea for increased participation in community events.

“There was not one West Grove resident at last month’s council meeting,” she said. “We need more activity.”

The next breakfast will be put off until the wall is up and finished, Holton said.

“When it’s finished we are going to have an unveiling ceremony,” Holton said. “We want it to be a big event for the whole community.”