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Date: 2/22/2022
CHICOPEE – A multi-purpose park in honor of post-9/11 veterans and service dogs is in development on Westover Road.
Pitched by Mayor John Vieau as a unique hybrid space that represents two service groups often overlooked in the veteran community, the memorial park is gaining traction in its progression after years of consideration by the city. Veteran Services Director Stephanie Shaw shared that the project was originally initiated by the veteran services office nearly a decade ago. After two years of grass roots funding efforts, Shaw said the memorial park was ultimately derailed due to various reasons.
Once Shaw joined as the director in the summer of 2017, former mayor Richard Kos enlisted her department to revive the project. “I looked at the space and the previous committee’s proposals and plans. I asked them to get together again. We brainstormed and came up with this direction,” said Shaw. Due to the project’s magnitude, Shaw reached out to the city’s Planning and Parks and Recreation departments to get involved in the project.
“We started collaborating in 2018 about the possibilities of that space and working together to design, fund it and find the support for it,” said Shaw.
Planning Director Lee Pouliot said he considers the project one of his favorite endeavors since entering the department. He expressed that the memorial park defies traditional definition it in its multi-purpose design. “Instead of having a traditional memorial, this project represents an experience and a space to celebrate service in the post-9/11 area. It’s a space to reflect and a space to celebrate, which I think is very unique,” said Pouliot, who shared that the project will be the first park space in the ward 1 area and the city’s first dog park.
Pouliot said the planning of the park’s space came with its own set of challenges. The existing topography brings different levels of elevation, while the property presented existing forestry and trails from other uses, according to Pouliot.
“It became very important to the team that we use the topography to our advantage and that we use the maximum number of existing trees as possible,” said Pouliot. The planning director ensured that the few trees removed will be repurposed into construction of the park’s different components. The dog park area will be featured on the lower elevation levels to mitigate noise, allowing the park’s memorial aspects to be appreciated with proper reflection, according to Pouliot.
Pouliot expressed the park’s innovative design will allow attendees to reflect on military service in an experiential manor. “The interpretation of celebrating military service in the post 9/11 era and reflecting that in a journey through a space versus a stone monument is novel,” said Pouliot.
Vieau expects the developing memorial park to become a central Chicopee attraction. “It’s really unique and different from anything we’ve traditionally seen. I expect there to be field trips and kids coming from all over,” said Vieau. The mayor stressed that the area will serve as an important education tool, allowing for Generation Z youths to learn about post 9/11 conflicts that they were not aware of when they occurred.
The Post 9/11 & Service Dog Memorial Park is not only unique in its structure, but also in the central subjects it commemorates.
Shaw shared the only other post-9/11 park in the state is located in Boston, which inspired her and the veteran service department to add a space in Western Mass. She hopes that space allows veterans and their families to celebrate their service.
“I really hope generationally we can experience that celebratory nature. So often, there is a mourning and a feeling of loss when it comes to service…That isn’t everyone’s story, so I think this park creates a unique perspective of all of the good and positives [from service],” said Shaw.
Along with being one of the few parks dedicated to service dogs across the country, Vieau hopes the completed project stands as a testament to the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.
“My mentality as mayor is to never forget their service,” said Vieau.
Construction for the Post-9/11 & Service Dog Memorial Park is set to begin in the spring, with Pouliot estimating that construction will take eight months.