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Date: 9/20/2022
CHICOPEE – Plans are progressing for the city to construct the Post-9/11 and Service Dog Memorial Park on Westover Road.
The memorial park is gaining traction after years of consideration by the city. Veterans Services Director Stephanie Shaw shared that the project was originally initiated by the Veteran Services office nearly a decade ago. After two years of grassroots 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. The property was originally a part of Westover before being given as a surplus asset to the city.
“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 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. Once completed, the memorial park space will be the first park in the Ward 1 area and the city’s only dog park.
Pouliot shared that the city secured the project’s construction budget through local, state and federal funds. The $415,000 federal contribution comes from a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant given in October 2021. Total construction costs are estimated around $800,000.
Moving forward, Pouliot said the Planning Department is looking to secure a contractor for the project.
“We’re looking to place this out for bid in early fall so we can get a contractor on board before the end of the year,” said Pouliot.
Pouliot explained that construction for the project should be minimal as the city is designing the park around its existing typography.
“There’s very little intense construction work that needs to happen to make this park a reality. It’s a great project of restraint with a very powerful message,” said Pouliot.
Mayor John 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.