This parcel by the creek may soon be home to a Veteran’s Park. Post photo by J. Reed.
A triangular piece of property along Cedar Creek may become the home of a new Veteran’s Park in Cedar Springs.
The Brown family was looking for a place to put a monument for Spc. Timothy Brown, 23, who was killed on Nov. 4, 2005 when a land mine detonated near his humvee during combat operations in Iraq. They originally considered making his monument the center of the landscaping at the new library, but the library is still in the fundraising stages. So they decided to try to get the Veteran’s Park going.
He said plans for the park include a sidewalk, three benches along the creek, and spots for three memorials. Much of the work and fees will be donated by local businesses—excavating, concrete, electrical work, surveying and engineering, and permits and inspections.
They would like to install four light poles, at $1,500 each. But they will need donations for that. They will also be getting flags, but will need donations for ground lighting.
Brown said they would like to have the park done by July 4. He would also like to have Tim’s monument by then, but he said it will be tough since the monument is $10,000 and they need 50 percent down.
City to hear plans for Veteran ParkBy Judy ReedA triangular piece of property along Cedar Creek may become the home of a new Veteran’s Park in Cedar Springs.The piece of property is on Oak Street at Main, on the south side of the creek. A home improvement once sat on the property, but burned down several years ago. In 2004, then Mayor James Charon proposed the idea of a Veteran’s Park in that location. But it never got off the ground, until now.The Brown family was looking for a place to put a monument for Spc. Timothy Brown, 23, who was killed on Nov. 4, 2005 when a land mine detonated near his humvee during combat operations in Iraq. They originally considered making his monument the center of the landscaping at the new library, but the library is still in the fundraising stages. So they decided to try to get the Veteran’s Park going. “The city showed me the plot and I thought, ‘why can’t the community do this?’” said Dan Brown, Tim’s uncle. “I think it’s a good idea since Cedar doesn’t have one. And it would be a nice place for his monument.”Brown said the park would be in honor of all veterans. He is proposing three spots for monuments representing different wars, including Tim’s for the war for Iraqi freedom. But that will come after the park is completed. “My main concern is to get the park going,” he said.He said plans for the park include a sidewalk, three benches along the creek, and spots for three memorials. Much of the work and fees will be donated by local businesses—excavating, concrete, electrical work, surveying and engineering, and permits and inspections. They would like to install four light poles, at $1,500 each. But they will need donations for that. They will also be getting flags, but will need donations for ground lighting.Brown said they would like to have the park done by July 4. He would also like to have Tim’s monument by then, but he said it will be tough since the monument is $10,000 and they need 50 percent down.Brown will present his plans, along with a suggestion for a name, to the City Council tonight, March 11. Anyone who would like to donate or volunteer their services to help get the park going should call Dan Brown at (616) 292-8767.
