A statue of John Ball stands near the entrance of John Ball Zoo in John Ball Park. By Italian sculptor Pompeo L. Coppini from New York and dedicated in September 19, 1925, the bronze statue depicts a seated John Ball  with two of his great-grandchildren, Albert Ellis “Bobby” Ball (March 12, 1912–July 16, 1969) and Virginia Lee (Ball) Kniskern (March 8, 1917-March 20, 2003).

New York sculptor Pompeo L. Coppini

Unveiling and dedication of John Ball Statue, John Ball Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Saturday 19 September 1925, left to right; Mayor Elvin Swartout, Capt. Charles E. Belknap, Mrs. Clarence S. (Emma Foote) Dexter, noted New York sculptor Pompeo Coppini, F. D. Black of Black Monument Company who built the granite base,  Miss Lucy Ball, Mrs. Kate Webster (Ball) Powers of Los Angeles, City Welfare Director A. E. Davidson, Mrs. Flora (Ball) Hopkins. — Grand Rapids Herald, Sun 20 Sep 1925.

Mrs. Clarence S. (Emma Foote) Dexter,
http://www.migenweb.net/kent/organizations/demarsac/1919-1920.html

Interactivity

This statue is a favorite of zoo-goers, many of whom climb upon and have their photos taken with it.

Anecdotes

• I distinctly remember that during my childhood I thought that this was a statue of Mark Twain (perhaps because Ball's grandson looks a bit like Tom Sawyer) and climbed upon him every year when I came to the zoo.Buckshot 16:43, 28 June 2007 (EDT)