The City of Rochester’s 200 year history will be long remembered with the addition of a fully functional Sundial that will walk visitors through 20 decades of their rich history, and also tell the correct time.
The focal element of the “Sundial Plaza” is a corten steel sundial gnomon (the vertical piece that creates the shadow) designed by Michigan artist Russell Thayer. It will have an earth-tone, metal finish that has been selected to complement the surrounding natural features found in the park.
Twenty stones within and surrounding the plaza have been carefully sited to celebrate twenty decades of history. The decorative stones are indigenous to Michigan and have colors that complement the gnomon; they will serve as both seating and focal elements, as well as time markers for the sundial. Historic plaques will be placed on the stones highlighting historic events which occurred during each of the twenty decades.
AEW is working on the civil engineering and structural engineering for the project, and will also assist with construction of the project.