Oswego area veterans organizations, community members, and the Oswegoland Park District have collaborated to form the Veterans Serenity Park Committee. This unique community partnership will continue with plans to build Veterans Serenity Park, along the Fox River in Oswego. The Park will be on Adams Street at the north edge of Hudson Crossing Park, across from the former Oswego Greenhouse.
Veterans Serenity Park will be a continuation of recognizing Oswego area military personnel and prominently will feature the walkway from the Vietnam Wall that was in Oswego last Summer. It will spotlight the five branches of the armed services and is designed as a park of reflection, memorial, and honor.
Plans call for the park to be finalized by Memorial Day 2019 and officially open following the Oswego Memorial Day parade May 27.
Veterans Serenity Park Committee chairman Dave Krahn has spearheaded the proposed park and will be working with businesses and individuals to seek funds for the build-out of the site. “This is a joint public/private venture with the Park District,” said Krahn who serves as president of the Oswegoland Park Board. “We welcomed over 100,000 people visiting the Vietnam Wall, many of them veterans from all walks of life, and we knew Oswego needed to build a lasting tribute where vets and the public can come to find moments of serenity.”
The site plans call for benches, bricks, sculptures, and a water feature that will encompass the eternal flame. It is the work of multiple community members and will complement the Park District’s vision of open space along the Fox River. Chad Feldotto, director of planning, has been the lead designer on the project, along with Phil Edwards of Twin Oaks Landscaping and Mike Schoppe of Schoppe Design.
“The Park District is honored to work with our area veterans to build this park,” said Park District executive director Rich Zielke. “It is a lasting tribute for the commitment (military veterans) made to our freedom and the District is proud to stand with them.”
The Veterans Serenity Park Committee has planned an open house/fundraiser for Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Kickers Club in Oswego to help raise funds and awareness for this unique park. For more information on this event and/or sponsorships, please contact Dave Krahn at Krahn.david@gmail.com.
“Veterans from all branches and conflicts will find solitude at Veterans Serenity Park,” Krahn said. “We are privileged to have such a supportive community and I have no doubt that the final project will be a gem in the rebirth of the downtown (Oswego) area.”
Click here for the Committee’s website. Click here for the Committee’s Facebook page.
— Oswego Veterans Serenity Park Committee