Gygax Memorial Project

Library Park (aka, Elm Park)

Overview of the Project

The planned memorial will be Gary seated at a simple stone table with a bronze map of a dungeon on top and benches along each side. Beneath this will be a base of pavers with donors names engraved upon them. Thus people will be able to visit, gather around, sit at the table, and play a game of Dungeons & Dragons® with Gary at the head of the table.

Some points on the design:

• Gary's statue, the throne he is seated on, and the table-top map are all bronze. The table and benches will be of polished granite.

• The statue of Gary appears to be talking while running a game of D&D® and gesturing to the map before him with his hand slightly cupped, palm up, fingers together, pointing slightly downward toward the map—that lets players roll dice off of Gary's hand for luck, take photos of him holding their dice, or have Gary roll dice for the game master during play .

• Gary and the throne he sits on are one piece. The throne-like chair has 20-sided dice for finials and a small guardian dragon coiled around the base, guarding a treasure chest. The chair itself is embossed with dragons and polyhedral dice (4, 6, 8, 12, and 20-sided dice).

• The back of the throne will have an integral, scroll-like plaque. The plaque will be tentatively worded as follows:

• The 5 by 7 foot map itself will depict the 1st level of Gary's original castle dungeon and will be numbered or keyed. We will have online content for this, including Gary's own original key, and fan made keys for the dungeon. Thus, people will be able to create their own keys to the dungeon and play something different every time they gather at the table.

• The 6 by 8 foot table will be of polished granite and have two long polished granite benches along either side. The end of the table opposite Gary will be left open for wheelchair and other accessibility.

• The 12 by 14 foot base beneath the table is made of 1,148 granite pavers (each 8 x 4 x 2 inch) and it has a 6 inch concrete apron to hold the pavers together. The pavers will be engraved with donors names. This allows for a wheelchair accessible, 36 inch walkway around the entirety of the monument.

• A sidewalk at the end, opposite Gary’s statue, will connect the memorial to the main sidewalk that already exists, allowing wheelchair and other access as mentioned above.

• Around the area are several blossoming trees that will provide shade in the warmer months and beauty each spring.

• Finally, the site is accessible, has nearby, metered parking, and is located near the public restrooms.

The various elements are to be provided by several companies. The stone table, benches, and granite pavers by Archie Monuments of Watertown, Wisconsin, and the bronze pieces by either James Nance Sculpture Studio of Loveland, Colorado or Martino Studios out of Lacrosse, Wisconsin.

In addition to sculptors and artists we have also retained an architect, general contractor, and engineer to oversee the overall design and installation of the various elements, including concrete footings for the table, benches, and statue, a base of granite pavers with a concrete apron, and a concrete sidewalk to tie the base of memorial into the existing sidewalk.

On February 20th, 2024 the City of Lake Geneva’s Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the placement of the Gygax Memorial at the west end of Library Park (see the approximate location below). A place where Gary would spend his days reading books and dreaming of becoming a fantasy novelist.

Library Park aerial view of approved Gygax Memorial Location

Photos Showing Approximate Placement of Gygax Memorial

Gygax Memorial Reference Photos Showing Views of Lake and Stone Manor

Architectural Drawings of table by Archie Monuments of Watertown

Some Early Artistic Renderings of Gygax Memorial by Jeff Easley