Thursday, May 23, 10 am
Sheridan Memorial Park, 1300 Water Street NE
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Park Board
Commissioner Liz Wielinski will hold a special ceremonial groundbreaking
event for the Sheridan Veterans Memorial at Sheridan Memorial Park. The
public is invited to attend. The program for the groundbreaking ceremony
will feature the presenting and retrieving of flags by Fridley Shaddrick
and Labeau American Legion Post 303, comments by neighborhood
representatives and elected officials, the official groundbreaking and
the presentation of a memorial wreath to recognize all veterans as a
prelude to the Memorial Day weekend. All are welcome to join in the
celebration. The veteran’s memorial will be located at the south end of
the Sheridan Memorial Park, with an overlook at the edge of the
Mississippi River. It will honor all military veterans from the ten
conflicts in which Minnesotans have served. Plans call for a central
sculpture on a circular plaza surrounded by five concentric rings made
up of lawn, a perimeter walk, benches and markers and peace gardens.
Closely planted trees will comprise the outermost ring. Ten of the
markers will each bear a description of one of the ten conflicts. An
eleventh “empty” marker will represent the ever potential threat of war,
reminding us to strive for peace. The sculpture and eleven markers are
being created by local artist Robert Smart. The perimeter walk will be
punctuated with pavers engraved with quotes about peace. Construction of
the memorial park will take place during the summer and fall with a
grand opening date slated for Veteran’s Day November 11, 2013. To
receive project updates and meeting notices via email, go to
www.minneapolisparks.org and click on the red envelope. For additional
information on the project, visit the Sheridan Memorial Park project
page on the MPRB website.
Liz Wielinski
Columbia Park