Art Kelsey visited Art Kelsey.

Art Kelsey Park that is.

Art Kelsey Park in the City of Warren, near the Midtown Parking Lot, was officially dedicated on Wednesday, June 28.

Nancy Freenock, city manager, gave opening remarks, and several other city dignitaries, including those referred to as “Artie’s Army,” were on hand.

Kelsey worked for 50 years for the borough and city of Warren.

“The park land located between Liberty Street and the Midtown Parking Lot was acquired by the Borough of Warren in 1965. Coincidentally, on June 14 of that year, Art Kelsey began his career in the Department of Public Works where he held many positions over the next 50 years, including traffic mechanic, Municipal Building custodian, Operator 1, and, at times, temporary foreman. However, his passion was parks and grounds maintenance.”

“You name it, mowing, trimming, planting, and assuring that facilities were clean and in good order for public use – Art did it all and did it well. If one ever wondered what ‘perpetual motion’ looked like, they needed only to follow Art Kelsey for a day… if they could keep up with him!”

“Art always took great pride in his work and was an excellent role model for all who worked with him. He instilled the ethic that all tasks are important and to be done well – an ethic that served countless college students who worked summer jobs as part of what was affectionately known as ‘Artie’s Army,'” including current City employees in Police Captain Jeff Zavinski, Police Sergeant Branden Deppen, and Vinnie Massa, Assistant to the DPW Director.

Kelsey qualified for retirement in March of 2003, but he thought he had a few more good years to give to the City and continued to work until his retirement on August 31, 2015. Art is a humble and unassuming individual who is greatly missed in the Department of Public Works and by all other City employees who had the honor and pleasure of knowing and working with him.

On October 17, 2016, upon recommendation by the City Parks and Recreation Commission and in honor of Art Kelsey’s 50 years of exemplary service to the Borough and City of Warren, Warren City Council adopted City Resolution Number 3016 which declares,

“Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Warren that from this day forward, the above-described park land shall be named and officially known as Art Kelsey Park.”