In 1924, the land that would become Memorial Park was a forest. It was then leased by the War Department for use as a training base for World War I soldiers.
Various civic leaders and philanthropists came together to form the Citizens Committee. They raised $52,000 in two years and commissioned sculptor Charles Adrian Pillars.
It is a place of remembrance
A memorial park offers family and friends a place to honor the memory of their loved ones. It provides a space for mourning and reflection, and can help them cope with difficult events like birthdays and anniversaries. A permanent tribute can also provide a link to the past for generations to come.
Memorial parks use flat, engraved markers to mark graves. This allows for a more natural environment that makes the grounds feel less like a cemetery and more like an outdoor park. The design is further enhanced by grassy areas, trees that offer shade, and a variety of memorial monuments and mausoleums.
In addition to traditional casket burials, the cemetery inters cremation urns year-round in ground and above ground columbariums. All internments are memorialized with a government marker that includes the name, branch of service, war period, birth date and death date. Family members may choose to add a special inscription or term of endearment.
It is a place of peace
Memorial parks are a new type of cemetery introduced about 75 years ago. They use dignified engraved markers lying flat on landscaped plots, and they often include water features and statuary. They also include a variety of trees and flowering gardens. This allows them to be more like parks and less like traditional cemeteries.
The Peace Park in Hiroshima is dedicated to comfort the souls of those who died from the atomic bombing and pray for eternal world peace. The Park is also home to the Peace Museum, a meditation forest, and the Peace Bell.
The Peace Bell is a symbol of the hope for a nuclear-free world and was created by a local master bell-caster in 1964. The inscription reads “Peace is the way. Peace is the goal.” The bell is rung at all events and on special occasions. The park is also a special place for Gold Star families, which are those who have lost a loved one in military service.
It is a place of recreation
A memorial park is a type of cemetery that uses flat bronze markers instead of vertical monuments to mark burial plots. The grounds are maintained in an open, beautiful natural setting to create a place that is less about mourning and more about life celebration. They also feature a variety of trees and gardens, as well as fountains or statuary to create an environment that is more appealing than traditional cemeteries.
Leeds Memorial Park has a one and a half mile walking track and a playground for children of all ages. It is also home to baseball, softball and soccer fields, the Leeds Veterans Memorial and pavilions available for rental. The city maintains the park and hires employees to keep it looking its best.
This park is popular for passive recreational activities, including concerts and July 4 events. It is also a destination for families with young children. The city has recently added 4 pickleball courts to the park, giving players 5 dedicated courts to play on.
It is a place of education
The National Mall and Memorial Parks offer many educational opportunities for students of all ages. These resources can help educators teach about American history, science, art, and culture. The NAMA Notebook is a place for educators to share curriculum ideas and best practices.
The Memorial Park consists of several landscape features, including an entrance walkway, tall trees, and a memorial plaza. It is designed to evoke a sense of dignity and honor for the victims, emergency personnel, and countless lives altered by the accident.
Helen and Adolph Kemper donated the Park in memory of their son and other local soldiers who died during World War II. In a dedication speech, School Board Trustee Theodore Riegel emphasized that the Park would become “an atmosphere of beauty as worthy as the men who gave their lives to save it.” To achieve this goal the Park is maintained by the Kemper Memorial Park Preservation Fund, which was established in 1947.