I stopped by Veterans Memorial Park this past Friday to see what kind of shape the park was in after the recent vandalism (reported here by the Morning Journal). It looked pretty much the way it did when I stopped by a week earlier, except this time the fountain was working (see photo at top).
At first glance, the scene is attractive until you get closer. Then you can see the damage pretty well, with one piece of the monument missing and one torn loose. Strangely, the piece that was dislodged by the vandals is still on the ground in front of the monument (see photo below).
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| Veterans Monument on May 27, 2011 |
Sadly, the park has a history of vandalism even though it is right across the street from the police station. I've been busy the last few months researching and compiling of a comprehensive history of the Civil War statue that used to be in that park for the Black Swamp Trader & Firelands Gazette. The vandalism to that monument was pretty disgraceful as well, and the main reason you don't see it in the park today. More's the pity.
Anyway, here are the Lorain Journal articles that ran at the time the Veterans Monument was first installed and dedicated in May 1967. (Click on each for a closer view.)
I suppose for a little green space from the corner of which a city was originally plotted 1834 - a little green space that in order for the settler's of this area to be designated a settlement had to exist 1807 and through its 204 year history that little green meeting space, public park, memorial park a tribute place the actions of disrespect are compounded by its history and such is the case.... The answer to this disrespect is society and what we will accept
ReplyDeleteCVSI and BRHS fought to keep that park from the developers wrecking ball in 2005/2006 the problem has been re the monument being across from city hall was planting until 2006 large evergreens in the beds in and around blocked the visibilty from West Erie.
The fountain had issues and when the city dug up the beds to get to the lines etc. they removed the planting. The Lions club planted perennials including russian sage which grew and grew and also then masked the view. You will note the area has been planted this past month with low profile plantings that give a visual access.
The fountain is turned on every Memorial Day as a tribute . Also there is a volunteer that is going to fix the memorial which is why the peice is still there Cheers Loraine
It's too bad, that people feel the need to damage such things.
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