2003 Year in Review

Donation to Veteran's Park

Left to right Dick Groharing, Mayor Roger Drey, Katie Renkes, Randy Renkes

Donations to the Morrison’s new Veteran’s Park started with a generous check from Randy and Katie Renkes of Renkes Lawn Care Service. The City Council voted to move the funds in the Historical Preservation Budget to a revolving fund so monetary donations can be accepted. Even with the great donations by businesses that have been made, there is much to purchase.

Three new flag poles, memorials, benches, and landscaping are just a few items still needed. This will be an ongoing project as donations and memorials come in, the work will be completed.

Joel Cook from J.C. and Associates, Sterling, worked with the Historical Preservation Commission to design a special area of the Grove Hill Cemetery for a Veteran’s Park. The centerpiece of the park, a 105mm howitzer cannon, was requested by the mayor, Roger Drey, from Sen. Peter Fitzgerald. The cannon has been received and must be in place by October 1.

The Park is designed in three sections. To the right or east is the speaker stand, which must be moved to face the park. In the center will be the cannon with 3 flag poles (United States, Illinois, and POW) in front of it. A retaining wall will be to the south of the flag poles with a yet to be determined memorials, current memorials will also be placed in this area. On the left or west side of the howitzer is the current fountain and to the south of the fountain will be added an equal size round flower garden. Through the center of the park is planned a sidewalk connecting the parking lot, road, fountain, flowers, memorials, and speaker stand. The far western corner will be dedicated to the children as an open space to play.

Morrison Blacktop donated services to transport the cannon from the Arsenal to Morrison. Hunter Body Shop volunteered to paint the cannon and Morrison Machine Shop is building a missing shield.

Work on the park is poised to begin in the near future. Morrison Blacktop has volunteered to excavate the site to put in a concrete pad for the cannons new home. Quality Ready Mix has donated the concrete for the pad and flag pole bases. Al and Randy will do the concrete work with a brick pattern similar to the downtown poles. Nelson Electric needs to run the electrical to the pad in order light the cannon and when the dirt work is completed J.C. and Associates will install the retaining wall. After that donations coming in will determine the completion of the plan.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
August 20, 2003