The design for the Veterans Memorial Park was unveiled during the Green Expo March 6.
The design was awarded to Pod Design of Columbus. The Memorial Park will have four distinct features - the Ribbon Walk, Honor Terrace, Celebration Lawn and Stories of Service Grove.
The memorial park will be located in conjunction with the John Torok Community and Senior Center, behind Fire Station #1 at Massillon and Steese roads.
The idea for a memorial park was prompted from a letter Mayor Dick Norton received from Green resident Samantha Kelley. Kelley was a classmate of Special Agent Matthew Kuglics who was killed in Iraq on June 5, 2007.
A planning committee was formed, comprised of John Dodovich, Mike Elkin, Samantha Kelley, Dave Hart, Lori Howerton, Samantha Kelley, Justin Pratt, Joe Sheehan and Valerie Wolford. The committees’ responsibilities were to design the park, secure a location, fund the park and build it. The committee is a not-for-profit which can accept donations to build the $200,000 park.
Already $52,000 in donations have been received. The city of Green provided a $50,000 grant to begin the design phase of the project.
“It has been very positive,” said Joe Sheehan, the committee chair, regarding the community’s response. “We only formed the committee in November and we’ve had some community input and everyone has been very supportive.”
Sheehan said the ground breaking is expected to take place in April to ensure the opening of the Park for Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11.
For donations or questions, contact Mike Elkins, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation at melkins@cityofgreen.org or visit the city’s Web site at www.cityofgreen.org.
