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Betty Berkman, along with city officials and her family, cuts the ribbon on a park built with her contribution. The park was named to honor her late husband David, and was dedicated on his birthday. “David was the most wonderful, loving, caring person I’ve ever known,” she said. “He cared about people and especially this community. He would love this playground and the joy it will give to so many children.” Submitted photo -
Mayor Bean presents the Key to the City to Betty Berkman at a ceremony to dedicate Teddy Bear Park. “I have not done this as mayor yet so I’m honored to give my first key to the city to Mrs. Betty,” the mayor said. “Mrs. Betty Berkman, our community, Fernandina Beach, is a better place because you are with us today.” Submitted photo -
Hundreds gathered in Central Park Sunday for the dedication of Teddy Bear Playground in honor of the late David Berkman on his birthday. Submitted photo -
Hundreds gathered in Central Park Sunday for the dedication of Teddy Bear Playground in honor of the late David Berkman on his birthday. Submitted photo
Hundreds gathered in Central Park Sunday for the dedication of Teddy Bear Playground in honor of the late David Berkman on his birthday. The playground was built after the old playground equipment was removed by the city when it became old and unsafe, and David’s widow Betty donated $500,000 to replace it.
A generous donor to area organizations and causes, Betty Berkman attended the event surrounded by her family. Betty and David’s grandchildren unveiled a new plaque, sign and statue of three teddy bears to mark the new playground. She spoke about how much her husband would have loved the event.
"This would make him so happy to see this,” Betty said. “To see all these happy faces of these children, he would just love that.”
As for why the Berkman family believes in giving, it is simple for Betty.
“We just love this community. He used to say ‘we’re in la la land,’” Betty said. “We love this place. Anything that we could do to help the community, anything that made this community even better. It didn't have to be anybody we knew or anything in particular. Just to be able to give back to this community in any way that we could. When we were called on to do anything, ok we were right there. He would be there for anything that was needed, if he could do something, if he could help in some way.”
Fernandina Beach Mayor Bradley Bean and Parks and Recreation director Catherine Vorassi were the emcees for the afternoon. The ceremonies started with performances of Draw the Circle Wide and The Star Spangled Banner by the Emma Love Hardee Elementary School Youth Choir, followed by prayer led by Chaplain Jim Tippins. Mayor Bean recognized the Berkman family and local leadership - commissioners, school board members, and former local leaders in attendance.
Vorassi explained why the new playground was named Teddy Bear Park.
“One of Mr. Berkman’s greatest joys was bringing happiness to otherwise sad children,” Vorassi said. “When he noticed a hurt or crying child, he would give them a stuffed animal, particularly a teddy bear. He was certain that hugging a teddy bear relieved anxiety and reassured that everything would be alright. Mr. Berkman purchased teddy bears and all sorts of stuffed animals often and kept them in his car just in case. When he encountered an upset child he would race back to the car and grab a teddy bear to comfort the child. Mrs. Berkman shared with me that he would give teddy bears to children even if they weren’t upset. Teddy bears have since become a loved and cherished Berkman family symbol of benevolence. The Berkman family invites you to rest with, hug, and play with a teddy bear in memory of David.”
“This is a beautiful thing” Vice Mayor David Sturges said. “A beautiful thing for children, a beautiful thing for our community, to have such a blessing, to be able to be blessed. I am very grateful and happy that we could make this park become a reality. It’s long overdue and we’re looking for big improvements in 2023 for the city of Fernandina Beach.”
Congressman and former Fernandina Beach mayor Aaron Bean came from Washington to speak at the dedication.
“This is personal,” Congressman Bean said. “Many of you know where the Beans grew up on North 15th, it was four blocks away. This place right here, these grounds, are hallowed by kids over the decades that have been here. This was the very first place I was able to ride a bike to, that my parents felt safe if we were here. So it is so spectacular to be a part of this. I couldn’t be more proud of my hometown Fernandina Beach, and of Mayor Bean and the commission to pull this together, I’m truly proud.”
Congressman Bean said the park dedication in his hometown means more to him personally than more illustrious events.
“Let me tell you something, being your state senator, and now your new congressman, I have done so many events, of ribbon cuttings, of playgrounds, recreational facilities, all kinds of things, you name it,” he said. “I like to tell you what the state of Florida or the United States government brings to the table of every project that I attend, so I want to tell you now what the state of Florida and what the United States Government has done to make this happen today: nothing. We did absolutely nothing. This is total effort by the city of Fernandina Beach and a very special family. It’s no surprise that they’re the ones making this happen. If it wasn’t for David Berkman and Betty Berkman and the entire Berkman family, we wouldn’t be here to say we were there the day everything changed for the youth of our family. A safe place where once again parents can know that their children are safe. On behalf of the United States Congress, Fernandina Beach, we are very proud of you.”
