Bicentennial Square is a secret garden that's entered through narrow canyons between brick buildings. From Warren Street, just follow the winding river of blue bricks past the tile mural of a mountain landscape with a great blue heron and painted turtle, one of three turtles that until recently called the park home.

The river appears to pass underground when it collides with an island of granite boulders capped with trees and flowers. On the left, as if walking away from the river, is a granite turtle about the size of a real-life sea tortoise. Its shell has been polished by artist Chance Anderson and the bottoms of the many children who climb atop it.

The park is a wonder that recently became a bit less wonderful. Last week, Anderson removed a bronze sculpture of boy holding a turtle and its granite base. Next, unless volunteers can come up with the money to purchase the artworks, he plans to remove the large granite turtle and a carved stone bench. All were on loan to the city by Anderson and a fellow artist, Beverly Seamans, but now, the works must find a buyer, Andersen told Monitor city hall reporter Shira Schoenberg.

The three pieces were not included in the $26,800 contract the city had with Anderson to rejuvenate the square, something his design and stone "story circle" next to the fountain did brilliantly. In a few short years, the square went from a neglected pocket park where panhandling and vandalism was common to a quiet place to read, have lunch or chat.

It will take about $28,000 to keep the bench and turtle in place and have the boy with turtle returned. The city doesn't have the money. It's looking to cut its budget wherever it can. In fact, Anderson was even told that if he wants to leave the sculptures in place he, not the city, will have to pay to have them insured. What's next - charge the little kids to sit on the turtle?

Michael Vlacich, the state's economic development director, is leading an impromptu effort to save the turtles on behalf of his 3-year-old daughter, one of the turtles' biggest admirers. Several downtown businesses have offered to help. In a city with big needs and projects that must be put off for want of funds, saving the square's works of art is a small thing that can be done to make Concord a better place - if everyone pitches in.

Next time you're downtown, take a swing through Bicentennial Square and see what a jewel it's become. Then, contact Vlacich at mvlacich@dred.state.nh.us to see how you can help keep it that way.