Jamestown Veterans Memorial Park To See Renovations, Expansion Thanks To Funding From Senator Young

JAMESTOWN – Since the founding of our great nation, Americans have always paid our highest respects to those who fought and died for our country.

To help the City of Jamestown fulfill its mission to honor local veterans, Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- 57th District) announced today that she has secured $100,000 to assist with the cost of renovations for Veterans Memorial Park.

The park, located between W. 3rd Street, Logan Avenue and Harding Avenue in the City of Jamestown, features a cement path and flagpole memorializing the brave service members from Jamestown who perished while at war.

“According to county records, as of March, there were at least 10,000 veterans living in Chautauqua County, and some estimate the number is likely as high as 13,000. Chances are, a veteran lives on your street, or even works with you every day. The Jamestown community has given its share of sons and daughters to protect the cause of life and liberty. In total, 421 of Jamestown’s brave men and women have been Killed-in-Action since World War II,” said Senator Young.

“Veterans Memorial Park is a touching way to honor all our veterans, those who fought for our country, those who died for our country, and those who, tragically, never returned home. Our nation’s service men and women have demonstrated unmatched bravery, traveling around the world to protect the freedoms and beliefs we treasure. I am honored to help advance this cause, so that the park’s full glory can be achieved,” said Senator Young.

“This is absolutely great news. I thank Senator Young from the bottom of my heart, and the Veteran's both past and present thank her for this terrific gift,” said Veteran Memorial Park Commission Chairman Chuck Telford.

In June 2011, Mayor Sam Teresi and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation kicked off the Veterans Memorial Commission Relocation Fund during a ceremony at then-Logan Park. The project envisioned a memorial park that would feature three distinct areas connected by a walkway. The first area would be the permanent home of the cannon previously displayed in old Veterans Park on 2nd Street. The second, and largest area, would include a flagpole and monuments honoring the branches of the U.S. military. The third area would feature a memorial to those who lost their lives in combat.

The project was spearheaded by Ron Cotton, a U.S. Navy veteran and former Sergeant with the Jamestown Police Department. Mr. Cotton served as the Chairman for the Veterans Memorial Commission Relocation Fund, devoting the last four years of his life, until his passing in 2015, to help establish Logan Park as Veterans Memorial Park. Through the generous assistance of approximately 130 local organizations, businesses and individual contributors, over $300,000 has been raised to develop and build the Chautauqua County Veterans Memorial.

As a result of the $100,000 grant secured by Senator Young, the city will undertake several renovation projects for Veterans Memorial Park. A new nine-car parking lot will be added and granite curbing will be installed. A five-foot sidewalk, a gazebo with benches and picnic tables will be added to provide people a place to sit and reflect. Two park signs will also be installed. The six historic monuments currently located in old Veterans Park will be relocated, and set in a stamped concrete base, with landscaping added to accentuate the memorials.

“This funding truly is exciting news for the city, and I am happy to be able to assist in honoring Jamestown veterans. Veterans Memorial Park, when complete, will be another positive example of what can happen when people work together,” Senator Young said.