DeLand Chess Park near completion

Downtown DeLand Chess Park near completion

By Al Everson
BEACON STAFF WRITER
posted Feb 21, 2009 – 8:42:47am

“What is that?” visitors to The Beacon office at 110 W. New York Ave. often ask, pointing across the Downtown DeLand street to the construction in progress.

“That” is Chess Park, designed to be an oasis of peace and beauty — a fitting atmosphere for the game of chess — in Downtown DeLand.

Despite a number of governmental actions and news stories, and even a little controversy, many people remain confused about the park being built adjacent to the Volusia County Historic Courthouse in Downtown DeLand.

Perhaps not for long. At long last, completion of Chess Park appears to be in sight.

“I think it’s going to be within a month or less,” Volusia County Central Services Director George Baker said. “I don’t have an actual date yet.”

Read Park elements were rescued from Scarlett Building

Baker has supervised construction of Chess Park, which was supposed to have been finished and open last fall. A series of unexpected difficulties slowed the project, he said.

The park on the east side of the Historic Courthouse will feature tables with checkerboards to invite chess players.

The park will also have a super-size chessboard with extra-large pawns, knights, rooks, bishops, queens and kings. Supporters predict Chess Park will become the site of chess competitions.

Here is the full article.