Originally part of the Camp Logan training facility, Memorial Park has evolved into a place where many visit for peace and reflection. Some come to honor military service and sacrifice; others to mourn the loss of a loved one.
The newest monument in the Park is dedicated to Navy submariners. It commemorates 52 submarines that were lost in World War Two.
Memorial Walls
Designed by Maya Lin, the black granite walls in a V shape represent a national symbol of enduring legacy, healing and education. They contain the names of 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing in action during one of America’s most divisive wars.
The listing of names begins at the apex, or center point, of the two walls and ends on either side with the year 1959 inscribed on Panel 1 East (1E) or 1975 inscribed on Panel 70 West (70W). This design is intended to convey the completeness of the loss by allowing visitors to connect with those who died.
The park also includes the Gold Star Monument and a secondary flagpole for display of the POW/MIA flag. The Memorial Walk/Donations Area is where veterans organizations and others can donate memorial monuments to commemorate particular groups, units or campaigns.
Monuments
The park is home to a number of monuments honoring famous Uticans and war memorials. GreenUtica landscapes the area around each monument with flowers and trees to add beauty to the memorial.
The 9/11 Memorial Plaza honors those who perished in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and celebrates their spirit of remembrance and renewal. The grove of elms and the twin Memorial pools, the largest man made waterfalls in the world, create a serene environment of reflection.
The park also includes a monument to those from Allen County who died in active service during World War I. The monuments are designed in a style similar to a military cemetery with landscape features such as water or statuary helping delineate the plots and larger sections of the grounds.
Plaques
If you walk along the Fort Pierce inlet jetty, you may notice that many of the rocks are covered with memorial plaques. This is a great way to honor your loved ones who have passed away and create a touching legacy.
Depending on the material used, a cast bronze memorial plaque can last 100 years or more. This type of plaque can include engraved names, dates, messages, symbols, or photos.
A carved wood or high-density urethane park and trail sign can also be a beautiful way to honor your veterans, community members, first responders, teachers, and public servants. These signs can be painted with the highest-quality automotive-grade Matthews paints and clear-coated twice for added durability and protection from weather, graffiti and UV fading. These signs are a wonderful addition to any memorial park.
Memorial Gardens
Memorial gardens are a beautiful and serene space that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed away. They have a long history and are important in many cultures and traditions. They also offer a sense of peace and healing to those who are grieving.
Memorial garden are different from traditional cemeteries in that they have more flowers, trees, and plants. This helps them to be a more wholesome place that people will not mind visiting.
You can also choose to have a bench in the garden that has the name of your deceased family member engraved on it. Some memorial gardens have a variety of different benches that you can choose from. This is a great way to create a unique memorial.
Playground
The playground at Memorial Park is a state-of-the-art all-inclusive play space designed to benefit children of all abilities in socialization, gross and fine motor skills and sensory integration. It is the first of its kind in the nation.
On weeknights, 9/11 Memorial staff climb inside the Twin Pools to give them a top-to-bottom cleaning. Watch this special behind-the-scenes look at how the Memorial is maintained and how care goes into every aspect of its operations.
For more physical challenges, joggers and walkers can enjoy the park’s 3-mile perimeter. Dedicated jogging routes include the lighted Seymour Lieberman Exer-Trail and the Bayou Wilds trails. A plethora of picnic tables are scattered around the park for those who would prefer to bring their own food and drinks.