Whitefish Bay delays decision on memorial proposed for Buckley Park

Concerned about a loss of open space, Whitefish Bay trustees want to talk more about a gift proposed for Buckley Park. The family of Geoffrey Farnsworth has offered to build a circular seating wall in the park. The wall would seat up to 12 people. Farnsworth, a Whitefish Bay Middle School teacher and coach, died last summer.

The plan for the wall was presented to the Village Board at its previous meeting. On Monday, the board deferred any action on the plan after several nearby residents objected, saying the seating area would decrease the open recreational area in the park.

The board directed Village Manager Patrick DeGrave to talk with the Farnsworth family about the donation, suggesting that another location, such as the middle school or Schoolhouse Park, might allow the village to maintain the open space while also permitting the family to give what several trustees called a generous gift.