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 “Our vision is to improve the existing park to
make it safe and restore it to honor veterans, have a public space
for congregation, improve historic downtown Elkhart, and provide a
park location worthy of cultural and historical events,” says Lois
Olson, President of Elkhart’s Need and Goals group. Needs and Goals
of Elkhart (NAG) was formed in 1984 and has been the “caretaker” of
the current Veterans’ Park for many years. Any veteran (young,
senior, disabled, retired, active or other) in the Village, Logan
County, or visiting will be able to use the park to meditate and
remember comrades. Olson continues, “We also foresee Veterans’
events, community festivals, outdoor movies, potlucks, and concerts
in the renovated park.”
Elkhart’s Veterans’ Park was created by Susan K. Green in 1977 to
honor veterans on behalf of her sister, Elizabeth Drake. Both were
grandchildren of the wife of Richard Oglesby, who was a three term
Governor of Illinois, veteran of the Mexican American War, and a
Civil War general. The site of the park was a dilapidated commercial
building on Governor Oglesby Street that was razed to provide the
downtown location for the park.
Located in historic downtown Elkhart, the current Veterans' Park is
home to a WWI Doughboy statue that was presented to the Village by
the returning veterans of World War I in honor of the men who did
not return from that war. Since then, plaques have been added to the
statue with the names of Village veterans from WWII, the Korean War
and all veterans killed in action from Elkhart during past wars.
Now, in 2017, the park needs updating. Janice Funk, NAG’s Project
Manager for the park renovation, says, “There is currently no
electricity, no water and few sitting places in the park. The
plantings are only a few potted annual flowers and weeds had
overtaken the broken brick surface. The WWI Doughboy statue is
stained and soiled and requires cleaning.”
“We’ve had many wonderful volunteers helping us,” Funk states, “and
there is lot of work left to do – but we are making progress.” The
project includes ensuring that the park is handicap accessible with
a safe, stable surface; updating the US flag depository;
landscaping; a reflective sitting wall and benches around the
perimeter; and installing electricity and water in the park.
The Veterans’ Park Project is designed to be used
by veterans in the Village of Elkhart or living in or visiting Logan
County, their families and children, and extended families and
friends. Individuals will be able to deposit tattered flags in a
proper disposal box located in the park. Decorated with
bunting on military days and holidays, and adorned with flowers
during the spring and summer, the renovated park will have an
enduring impact on the lives of current military, veterans, their
families and local communities. In addition, the park will provide a
place for community events and a pleasant stop for tourists who
travel through Elkhart on Rt. 66.
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“In-kind donations, volunteer help, landscaping materials and
monetary donations are needed and appreciated,” says Peggy Lee, Village of
Elkhart Trustee. “Anyone wanting to see the park design, or wanting to pick up a
brochure with more information, can go to the UCB Bank on Governor Oglesby
Street in Elkhart.” Donations to the “Veterans’ Park Fund” are tax deductible
and can be sent to PO Box 20, Elkhart, IL 62634.
[Peggy Lee] |
