MERIDIAN - The City of Meridian invites the community to celebrate Gene Kleiner Day on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The event, which will include a reading of a Gene Kleiner Day proclamation by City Council Member Anne Little Roberts, honors the generosity of the day’s namesake, who donated the 60-acre, $25 million Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park to the City of Meridian and its residents. Gene made the donation in honor of his late father, Julius, who once farmed the land on which the park now sits and operated until his passing in 1972. 
 
“Gene Kleiner is an incredible philanthropist, and it’s important that we continue to celebrate his example of generosity; this park is a treasure for residents and visitors of Meridian alike,” said Meridian Parks and Recreation Director Steve Siddoway. “His donation of this magnificent park has created a lasting legacy each of us can enjoy and challenges us to pay it forward in new acts of service across our community and beyond.”
 

The Meridian Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert at the Kleiner Park Band Shell, beginning at 4:00 p.m. This family-friendly performance will feature a vibrant mix of classical favorites and beloved film scores, including Bahn Frei Polka, selections from Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney’s Aladdin, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, as well as Three Latin Dances, Pennywhistle Jig, The Patriot, and Kabalevsky’s Violin Concerto Op. 48 (Mvt. 1). The evening will conclude with patriotic classics such as Stars and Stripes Forever and The Thunderer March by John Philip Sousa.

Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets for seating and are welcome to bring picnics. Kleiner Park’s concession stand will also be open this evening.
 

Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park is located at 1900 N. Records Avenue in Meridian.  The nearly 60-acre park is situated behind The Village at Meridian at the corner of Eagle Road and Fairview. The park boasts 3.3 miles of walking paths; pickleball courts; a tree arboretum; fishing ponds; the Rock of Honor Veterans Memorial; a memorial brick plaza; basketball, volleyball, and bocce ball courts; multiple picnic shelters; a community garden; and an outdoor gym and full spectrum of youth play equipment.