Veterans Memorial Park

Story

The Klamath Falls Vererans Memorial Park is a recreational park located on Lake Ewauna in downtown Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA. It was established in 2007 as a memorial honoring those who have served and/or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Coast Guard and Wartime Merchant Marine. Construction of the 3.30acre park was overseen by the 173d Fighter wing, Oregon Air National Guard located at Kingsley Field. The city of Klamath Falls oversees the maintenance of the Memorial. The park features memorial bricks for past and present military personnel, an informational kiosk, a covered pavilion and a display of Locomotive #2579 used by the Southern Pacific Railroad.LocationKlamath Falls Veterans park is located where US Route 97 passes over the Link River, at the southern end of downtown Klamath Falls. Because of its location at the north end of the Klamath River, the park has boat access to Lake Ewauna.HistoryA volunteer committee was created to oversee the proposal, design and construction of a memorial park to honor veteran servicemen. The original project was designed to take place in multiple phases to include future expansion. With the assistance of the local military organizations and civilian clubs, the Oregon National Guard, the city and county of Klamath, as well as multiple donations of citizens, the first phase of Klamath Falls Veterans Park broke ground in August 2007 and was completed and dedicated three months later, on Veterans' Day, November 11, 2007. Phase 1 of construction included a covered pavilion and benches, flag poles, concrete walkways with red, white and blue fiber optic lights, bronze plaques representing the military branches, monuments depicting various wars, initial memorial brick pavers and landscaping.