Paul Brown Birthplace Committee kicks off public fundraiser

NORWALK — A local committee working to recognize the city as the birthplace of legendary NFL and college football coach Paul Brown is kicking off its public fundraising campaign this week. The Paul Brown Birthplace Committee's efforts to raise $100,000 will start off with sales of brick and granite pavers for the park area that will be established in front of Suhr Park. An approved Ohio Historical Marker proclaiming Norwalk as Brown's birthplace will be placed at the West Main Street site. The committee also has plans to add a statue of Brown and a low wall to complete the installation. Pavers are available in three sizes, starting at $100 for a 4" by 8" brick with two lines of engraving. A mid-size square paver is offered at $250 for an 8" by 8" brick with four lines of lettering. For corporate logos and business names, an 8" by 16" granite block will cost $500. The three types are identical in sizing to the city's current pavers, which were part of the overall Uptown Revitalization Project. A preliminary design for Brown's statue includes a low wall, four to five feet tall, that will curve slightly behind the 72"-high figure of the coach. Corporate sponsorships for the statue and Paul Brown Park area are available as etched names on the wall, with pricing set at $1,000 for 1" letters, $2,500 for 1 ½" letters and $5,000 for 1 ¾" letters. The committee is working in partnership with Franklin Monument, a local business owned by Kevin and April Hipp, to develop a comprehensive plan for the site at the front of Suhr Park. The vision for the low wall is that the outer, south side will be etched to resemble a stadium. The inside curve of the wall will bear sponsors' names and, possibly, signs detailing Brown's many contributions to modern football. "Our idea is to make all aspects of this project both inclusive and accessible to the community," said Kathy Root, chairman of the birthplace committee. "Our goal of $100,000 is a big number, but we want to do this the right way with tiered funding levels. We also want to make sure we're creating a place that appropriately honors a true coaching legend and innovator who is, in fact, unparalleled in the history of modern football. "And, we hope that what will be our Paul Brown Park area on West Main Street becomes a destination for both college and NFL fans all over Ohio and, perhaps, farther," she added. "Paul Brown was born here, lived here — and we are claiming him as a Norwalkian." The late Paul Brown, born in Norwalk on Sept. 7, 1908, was one of the most successful and influential figures in the history of college and professional football. The committee was formed in January to explore several potential ideas to recognize his ties to the city. The deadline for purchasing pavers and sponsorships is December 15. Those interested in participating can pick up an order form at City Hall or access the document on the City of Norwalk website, norwalkoh.com. Forms can also be accessed through the Paul Brown Birthplace Committee's Facebook page at facebook.com/PaulBrownBirthplaceCommittee. The committee can also be reached by email at paulbrownbc@gmail.com. The son of Lester and Ida Brown, Paul and his sister, Marian, lived in Norwalk until relocating to Massillon when Paul was nine years old. He attended school in Norwalk and completed fifth grade at Benedict Elementary School. In Norwalk, Brown and his family lived at 7 W. Elm Street. Paul Brown was born at home there, his birth certificate shows. Widely regarded as the "father of modern football," Paul Brown coached championship teams at Massillon High School, Ohio State University, the Cleveland Browns, and the Cincinnati Bengals. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. When the NFL celebrated its 100th year in 2020, the league undertook a season-long countdown of the 100 greatest game-changers in the sport. Paul Brown was No. 1 on the list.