The park is situated within a natural environment soaked in history. The design aims to connect with this background while introducing a new typology of architecture and landscape in a figure-ground relationship.
The June 5 Memorial Park is a place to reflect, explore and learn. It is the place to remember and celebrate the lives of those lost in the collapse.
The History
Memorial Park has been a place of peace and remembrance since its inception. It continues to serve the citizens of Houston with recreational, exercise, and education opportunities.
In the early 1900s, the land was part of the county’s Fairhaven Tuberculosis Sanitarium. Then in 1918, the Selective Service Act was passed and Camp Logan was established to train soldiers for World War I. Will and Mike Hogg purchased two tracts of the land and sold them to the city at cost, which became known as Memorial Park.
The main monument was built by the community to honor the local men and women who served in the armed forces and died as a result of war. Over the years, the Park has expanded and added a number of additional memorials and markers. The Gold Star Monument is the most recent addition, designed in conjunction with the Woody Williams Foundation to meet their style guidelines for establishing permanent Gold Star Families monuments.
The Design
The memorial park offers families a private, non-denominational space for reflection and remembrance of their loved ones. A series of birch panels define and partially enclose the sanctuary. A translucent fabric canopy provides shelter and reflects light within the interior. A bluestone fountain, located within the birch panel wall, masks outside noise to create a peaceful and dignified space.
The design blurs the line between cemetery and park by providing a natural, forested gateway, landscape, amenities, monument spaces, and social events. The memorial space serves as a place of remembrance for those killed on June 5, while the architecture houses a curatorial space, exhibition spaces, and columbarium.
A grove of 250 birch trees commemorate the victims and embody eternity. The grove also serves as an outdoor gathering space with seating for larger groups. Throughout the site, native and historical plantings celebrate the beauty of nature and serve as a reminder to “Act Up” against atrocity, genocide, violence, and cruelty.
The Grounds
The grounds of a memorial park are designed to create an environment of comfort for reflection and a sense of dignity. Bronze memorials that are flush with the lawn and beautiful yet solid mausoleum buildings providing above ground crypts are accented by compelling imported statues, lovely stained glass and other architectural features to blend with the meticulously landscaped gardens and luscious tree-laden acres.
Many families choose to purchase two plots side by side and have a double memorial centered on both. This allows a space for both traditional ground burial and cremation interments.
Families may also choose to purchase a private family mausoleum or share space in a community mausoleum. A private family mausoleum offers a permanent, secure location to store physical remains. For safety and respect of others, loitering or sitting on any cemetery lawn areas, planter walls, burial (grave) markers or within mausoleum corridors is prohibited. Pets must be kept on a leash and owners must pick up after them.
The Tributes
A memorial park is a place where we can all come together to reflect and remember those who have served our country. It is also a place where we can celebrate the unity that’s developed since dark times like World War II. It’s a place where we can all honor those who gave their lives in service to our country, whether they’re veterans or civilians.
This memorial park is dedicated to those who died because of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Located in the Rockaways near the shore of Jamaica Bay, it’s a quiet spot where visitors and neighbors can come to remember the fallen.
Each life is unique and deserves a dignified and lasting way to be remembered. A memorial bench allows people to create a dedicated space that can be visited for years to come by family and friends to remember a loved one. It also offers a chance to share the profound story of their life.