BULLHEAD CITY – Bullhead City Community Park recently added a new artwork to its sidewalk menagerie as Bravo the Bull moved in about 500 feet south of original park mascot, Poki the Tortoise. The bronze bovine has quickly become a popular park attraction as dozens of cars pull in daily so locals and visitors can pose for a photo.
Students from the Academy of Building Industries came to the park last week to add finishing touches to the popular sculpture. Coy O’Kelley and his welding students added steel braces to the base of the bull in order to optimize balance and security.
“Bravo is the perfect addition to Community Park,” said Dave Heath, Parks & Recreation Superintendent. “We are happy to have him where he is, and although climbing on and riding the statue is prohibited, we wanted to make sure he could withstand the wind, heat and outdoor elements. So, I was thrilled that the students from AOBI were able to help.”
The Academy of Building Industries is a public charter high school in Fort Mohave. The school teaches ninth through twelfth grade students technical trades while earning their diploma. Assisting Vocational Director Coy O’Kelley on the project were students Hayley Brown, Braidyn Johnson, Jacob Tennyson and Isiah Crook. AOBI graduate and City of Bullhead Parks Maintenance worker Toby Donathan also assisted on the project.
Heath added, “We’re very thankful Mr. O’Kelley and the students were able to give us some help on this project. They are an asset to our community and those kids definitely have promising futures ahead of them.”
Anybody wishing to visit Bravo the Bull in Community Park is encouraged to drop by any day. The park has no fees for entry and is open every day from 4:30 a.m. to 11p.m.
