Stone by Stone – How Harry Coleman Brought Life Back to Dwyer Park

When visitors cook their meals in scenic Dwyer Park in Preble, NY many do not realize the amount of painstaking labor that went into restoring the 1950s cobblestone fireplaces that dot its landscape.

For  the past 8 years, Harry Coleman of Homer has rebuilt 20 of the long neglected and deteriorating fireplaces. Nine of them were totally unusable. As a retired union mason,  Harry was no stranger to the artistry of cobblestone stonework.

The fireplaces, originally built in the 1950s as part of a public works initiative , had been a central figure of the park. Over time weather and wear took their toll and many of the structures began to crumble. Harry knew that he could bring them back to life and usefulness.

Harry’s generous volunteer spirit  along with his skilled craftsmanship and dedication to the past has brought back generations of memories  and warmed the hearts of those who spent and currently spend countless hours cooking with family and friends and making family memories on these treasures.

For years, Harry  has quietly dedicated his time, skills, and heart to restoring one of the  county’s hidden treasures — from rebuilding historic cobblestone fireplaces, stone lamposts and the flagpole base to preserving the park’s legacy for future generations.His story is a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful contributions often go unseen — but never unfelt.

Cortland County owns Dwyer Memorial Park. Harry’s impact and legacy is etched in stone and he has left a lasting mark on the park. However formal recognition has never come. Suggestions have been to name the newly built pier after him.