With the opening of the Memorial Park in October 1956, the community came together. Dignitaries, politicians and veterans groups joined to raise one American flag over the main memorial dedicated to those from New Jersey and Delaware who lost their lives in World War II.
Over time, the park evolved. Read about the history of this park in our archives.
The Park’s History
Providing a naturally beautiful oasis that replenishes the body, the mind and the human spirit, Memorial Park is home to a unique collection of historical markers and a monument honoring those who serve our nation.
The Park has been a refuge for generations of Callaway County residents. From baseball, golfing and picnicking to running, hiking and swimming, the Park’s grounds offer a natural setting for recreation that is unlike any other in Houston.
Founded in 1948, the Park was built by the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps as part of President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration and today, much of its landscaping is still intact. In Picnic Loop, visitors can see the doughboy statue that honors Indiana County’s war heroes and the 234 granite void markers representing Holocaust victims. These remembrance stones resemble tombstones and represent the shattered lives of those who perished in the genocide.
The Park’s Development
In the city’s heart, a forested oasis replenishes the body and spirit. It is a place where fellow citizens gather to compete in sports, discover nature and engage each other socially.
At 1,500 acres-more than twice the size of New York’s Central Park-Memorial Park is the largest urban wilderness in Texas. But it’s not a seamless, cohesive whole: the landscape is broken into 27 distinct “components” that resemble forested islands separated by roads and driveways.
The Kinder Land Bridge and Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Prairie stitch together the two halves of the park, and allow residents to explore all that Memorial Park has to offer. “We’ve reintroduced prairie grasses and enhanced the natural environment in a way that’s embraced by all local communities,” Odinet says.
Open play areas offer opportunities for healthy recreational activities for children of all ages and abilities. Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis or may be reserved online. Food trucks are also frequent visitors to the park and can be found near Eastern Glades, at the entrance to Picnic Loop and at the tennis center and playground.
The Park’s Design
The Park serves as a remembrance of the more than 100,000 New Yorkers who died from the AIDS epidemic and a reminder to continue the fight. The Memorial’s design was initiated by an international competition in 2011 sponsored by the City and chaired by Michael Arad, designer of the National September 11 Memorial.
The design creates a spatial sequence that moves visitors from a street-level “education space” to the enshrinement space at the heart of the Memorial. From the start, a series of angular walls draw the eye, making a long and narrow site appear larger and more spacious.
The City has gathered public input throughout the Master Plan process to ensure that the Park’s design reflects the community’s needs and aspirations. The City has a strong commitment to maintaining the Park and its facilities. Click here to see the latest updates and to stay informed about the Park’s future.
The Park’s Future
In a world where the economy is often driven by profit, it’s refreshing to know that Memorial Park will be around for generations to come. When you purchase cemetery property or a monument, a portion of your payment is placed into an irrevocable trust fund for perpetual care. These funds ensure that expenses like fallen trees, road repairs and even routine mowing are covered.
This allows us to continue the tradition of maintaining a beautiful and peaceful cemetery in the years to come. We invite you to take a look at the progress we’ve made and join us in advancing the future of Memorial Park.
Memorial parks are a new trend in cemeteries, offering a natural environment that promotes healing and remembrance. Whether it’s the strength of an oak or the soothing beauty of a crape myrtle, trees planted in memory of loved ones become living legacies that represent growth, renewal and continuity. These are the ideal characteristics of a place that will endure.