Arlington Heights' oldest park to be rededicated

The oldest park in Arlington Heights, and the only one that honors active military personnel and veterans, will be rededicated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, 125 years after it was donated to the community for that purpose.

Memorial Park, located at Fremont and Chestnut streets, already features historic monuments that honor veterans as far back as the Civil War and World War I, but now it features a brand new look.

A central plaza area, with a five-point star, serves as its focal point, surrounded by a brick seating wall, new landscaping, and engraved bricks bearing the names of local military personnel and veterans.

The park's original historic monuments -- the oldest one was dedicated by veterans themselves in 1925 -- have been relocated to the western portion of the park.

"This is the culmination of two years of hard work," says Greg Padovani of Arlington Heights, who is coordinating the ceremony for the ad hoc committee. "But it's all been worth it. The park looks totally different. It's stunning."

During the ceremony, members of the Arlington Heights Arts Commission will announce the winning design of the sculpture contest, with the future piece -- envisioned as part of a second phase of the renovation -- to stand in the middle of the engraved star.

Community members serving on the ad hoc committee behind the "Drive to Revive Memorial Park" have organized the ceremony, complete with patriotic music, a few speeches, and a military honor guard recognizing all branches of the service.

Members of the Arlington Heights Community Band will play inspiring marches for one half-hour before the start, and the Arlingtones, a men's a cappella group, will sing The Star-Spangled Banner.

Veterans from American Legion Post 208 and VFW Post 981, both in Arlington Heights, will combine with members of the Northwest Suburban Marine Corps League, in a flag ceremony that honors each branch of the military, and to form a rifle squad.

Members of the community group worked with the Arlington Heights Park Foundation, the Arlington Heights Park District and the village to advance the project.

"Ever since I've been on the board, we've said this park needs an update," said Arlington Heights Park Board commissioner Rob Nesvacil. "It's a unique park in town, set aside for a very specific purpose -- to honor our veterans."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.ahparkfoundation.org/MemorialParkFund/index.htm">Info on the rededication event</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>