Little Silver Memorial Park

  Several years ago the Borough purchased (with Green Acres Open Space Funding) the small tract of land at the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Willow Drive, with the initial objective being to move the Veterans' memorial monuments from Borough Hall to a more appropriate site of honor and visibility.  Two years ago, the Shade Tree Commission, in its efforts to increase the Borough’s shade trees and conserve valuable open space, offered to become involved in the development of the site.   Extensive research, planning and discussion among Shade Tree Commission members with the Governing Body, Borough administration, the Borough Engineer, and various community groups, has taken the space from concept to paper and finally, to reality - and is now quickly evolving into the long-awaited community Memorial Park.    Initial construction and landscaping is funded by a grant from the Monmouth County Parks Department, with ongoing maintenance and design to be a community volunteer project.

Construction began the week of October 4, with the installation of the entrance, pathways, structural details and garden areas.    Landscape planting of trees and border shrubbery is expected to be completed in November.   Once the initial construction and landscaping are complete, volunteer individuals and groups will help prepare, plant and maintain the garden areas.

Our vision for Memorial Park is to pay respect to those whose service and memories we hold close, in a place of natural sanctuary, offering social and creative opportunities to the community, while maintaining our commitment to preserve and protect the natural environment of our town.   We look forward to welcoming the community’s involvement and ideas, as we all work together to perpetuate this unique site of living memory for Little Silver.

Shade Tree Commission Co-Chairman Darwin Spears, Borough

Engineer Greg Blash and Borough Administrator Mike Biehl,

visit the site at the start of construction.

  Brick entry pillars on Prospect Avenue will hold the Park signs, and

welcome visitors through the entrance path, leading past a stately clock,

quiet reflecting pool, then into a circular memorial area that will contain

monuments to veterans and residents lost in the 9/11 World Trade Center attack.

Shade Tree Commission Chairman Clayton Smith and

Co-Chairman Darwin Spears at site where the monument area and

reflecting pool will be.

The engineer and crew work out a few details . . .

The monument and seating area overlooking the reflecting pool,

now nearing completion.

Workers prepare pathways leading to the back gardens ...

... that will be separated by rock berms against the backdrop of trees and native vege tation

   

Liz Hanson of the Little Silver Garden Club, enjoys the sounds

of the birds while envisioning the garden that the Club will create. 

October 14 - concrete is poured on entry path to memorial area, which

will contain the clock, reflecting pool, flagpole and seating benches.

Walking paths are filled with a prepared mixture of natural clay and gravel, for comfortable, safe strolling around the gardens

 

 

 

Shade Tree Commission Chairman and Co-Chairman Clayton Smith and Darwin Spears watch as entry path is prepared for installation of paving stones ... and later Clayton admires the first of the decorative paver accents.

Progress continues as pavers are placed around flagpole and monument area

     Completed entry pathway and monument area

 October 16:  By end of week #2, quiet once again prevails with construction

complete and ready for next phase - installation of signs, monuments, flagpole,

clock, landscaping, preparation of garden areas and all the finishing touches to welcome visitors.

Visualizing how the "full grown" clock will look . . .

  The "real" thing!

Lighting up the town at dusk

 

 

Please visit this page for information and updates

on the progress of this unique addition to Little Silver!    

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Borough of Little Silver 480 Prospect Avenue, Little Silver, NJ 07739 732-842-2400 phone      732-219-0581 fax