Wooden phoenix statue turning heads in Ventura

There is a new addition to Plaza Park in Ventura is turning heads.

A 25-foot-tall wooden statue of a phoenix is now complete and visitors on Monday couldn’t help but stare.

“I’ve seen a lot of people stop in wonderment because it’s so beautiful,” said Michael Rodrick.

The city’s Parks Manager, Tom Martin says it’s a symbol of rising up from the ashes after last year’s Thomas Fire.

The fire burned homes in downtown and hundreds of thousands of acres across the county.

Arborist, John Mahoney is the man behind the statue. Martin says it took him nearly two weeks to create.

“The tree had a significant failure, it was diseased pretty bad and when we were taking it down collectively, we decided that, you know what, that’s a pretty big stump maybe John can do something with it,” said Martin.

The project has amassed a big following, as dozens walk by just to take a photo. Ventura Resident, Blair Olsen has watched the construction from start to finish.

“I have a post office box so I come just about every day and when it’s finally finished, it’s beautiful,” said Olsen.

Mahoney has also created wooden statues at Arroyo Verde Park and Camino Real Park.