City Council approves $7 million master plan for new Veterans Memorial Park

The Mansfield Park Facilities Development Corporation meeting on January 20, 2022, focused on the development of a Veterans Memorial at a designated park site. This initiative has been in progress for four years, following the purchase of a three-acre parcel in 2018. The goal is to create a passive park that preserves the existing forest while potentially adding a loop trail in the future.

During the meeting, it was noted that the Public Memorial Subcommittee evaluated twelve potential sites before selecting this location. The City Council has since voted to proceed with the addition of the memorial. In April, the council directed the hiring of Kimley Horn to develop a master plan and cost estimates based on the vision provided by the committee and the Veterans Memorial Foundation.

Key features of the proposed memorial include a central plaza for gatherings, a water feature or reflecting pool, and a loop trail through the wooded area. The design will also incorporate flagpoles to recognize the seven branches of the military, while plans for honoring specific wars and conflicts will be addressed in future phases.

Parking concerns were raised by the Citizen Bond Committee, particularly regarding the adequacy of spaces for major events. The committee addressed this by noting that while 500 parking spaces might be excessive for the few significant events held annually, there are already 700 parking spaces available nearby, with additional options at the nearby M IC facility. The plan includes provisions for managing traffic and shuttling attendees as needed.

The total estimated cost for the Veterans Memorial project is $7 million, which includes a construction budget of $6.1 million, design costs, and contingencies. The committee has decided to propose the entire project to the Citizen Bond Committee for consideration.