Bob Cage sculptures on the Greenway

Serious efforts are under way to line the new South Boston Greenway with the huge sculptures created by the late Bob Cage, who died in 2014.

 

The effort by a volunteer group coincides with two important events: the pending sale of Cage’s former estate near U.S. 360 and the near-completion of the park along the Route 501 Corridor in Riverdale.

 

The whimsical structures that are so famous in this town are available for businesses or groups of individuals to purchase and to be placed in the park.

“It would be a unique entrance to South Boston and a wonderful way to honor Bob Cage’s legacy,” says Ryland Clark, who heads the Greenspace Committee. “People will be able to walk along the trail, take pictures and learn the history of these fine works.”

So far, there are commitments to acquire five or the 12 sculptures,  with prices ranging from $3,000 to $5,000. The sculptures would be purchased from the existing Robert Cage Sculpture Garden and removed by Aug. 30. The money will be transferred to the Town of South Boston, which will reimburse the current owners, Cage’s heirs. Such a plan will need to be approved by the South Boston Town Council.

One of those serving on the committee is Thomas Raab, outgoing town manager. He explains that the sculptures would be placed on concrete pedestals and coated to protect them from any flood waters from the DanRive. Those paying for the structures would have their names placed on an engraved plaque.

Personally, I think this is a great idea! I often refer our bed & breakfast guests to the sculpture garden as my favorite tourist site in Halifax County. The sculptures, made out of metal from junkyards and abandoned businesses, make the town stand out as different.

Says Ron Miller a committee member, “The Greenway will become a tourist attraction in its own right. Anyone who has turned onto 501 is likely to head into the downtown business district with its shops and restaurants.”

 

The Cage family has made about half 0f of Bob Cage’s 100 sculptures available for sale since December, saying that is something he would have wanted. They are loaning some of them to the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, the museum and the tourism office. At least 50 0f them will remain on the Cage Trail site, being bought by the Skillas family from Florida.

“We know our Dad (and sister Dani) would love it, so we all love it,” says Barbara Cage. “We hope it will be enjoyed for years to come while honoring his legacy.”

She says the family will sell the sculptures at a discount for the project and will help the town with moving and painting expenses.

The Greenspace Committee meets again on July 11, and Clark welcomes others to join. It is also looking into other features for the park, which was created after flood-prone buildings were removed in the past two years.

Among other ideas are a pedestrian bridge, dog park and picnic tables. Those interested in joining the group or buying sculptures before the August deadline should contact Clark at Ryland.o.clark@hitachienergy.com.

There are also details on Clark’s Facebook page.