By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
The sun was falling fast from its place in the sky. It reached a spot just over the trees.
Peeking from behind the foliage, rainbows in its rays fell on the bronze statue in the Veterans’ Memorial Monument Park in Historic Downtown Plant City. The statue, an eagle, was slowly being painted black by shadows, silhouetted against the bright blue sky. Its massive wings reached upward.
It’s hard not to be moved by this majestic memorial.
The 15-foot-tall sculpture, Freedom Rising, sits on a base with the crests of the different branches of the military posted on its sides. It is placed in the center of a red brick circle. Around the tribute is a green field with beautiful trees and landscaping, a white Southern-style gazebo, picnic area and a playground.
ROCKY START
The 2-acre park started as an idea from Stanley Kolker in the early 2000s. He had spent time traveling up and down the East Coast visiting small towns. Through his travels, he noticed that many of these towns had veterans’ parks or memorials.
When he returned to Plant City, Kolker proposed the idea to the Plant City Photo Archives & History Center. Together, they decided to put together a committee to oversee the project.
“Sometimes, it almost takes an outsider to realize what your city needs,” committee member Ed Verner says.
Kolker thought Jennifer Closshey would make a strong leader for the committee and came to her in 2005 to pitch the idea. Closshey pushed the idea around in her head and asked: Why wouldn’t I do it? She couldn’t find a reason. Her husband and father both served in the military.
“I did it out of the respect for both of them and for the deep appreciation I had for them and the military lifestyle,” Closshey says.
Closshey got a group of individuals together to brainstorm on the potential monument. At first, the group proposed the park be built at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St., but those plans fell through.
“We went through a lot of tears and effort to put it by City Hall,” Closshey says. “But it fizzled. Little did we know, there was another plan.”
NEW BEGINNING
The city suggested a different plot. The location would serve as a three-block connector, a path between City Hall, Bruton Memorial Library and the park. The plot was given to the city by the Hillsborough County School Board, with the requirement that whatever was developed needed to fulfill a recreational use.
“We didn’t want it just to be a memorial park, because not everyone who serves dies in combat,” Closshey says. “It’s for anybody who wore the uniform, for any branch, everywhere. We wanted to honor all those who served since the birth of this nation.”
The committee spent much of its time asking for donations and sponsors to build the $1.5 million park. All benches, light posts and bricks were available for sponsorship. Some are still available.
The city donated services to relocate the existing recreational facilities and an engineer to help plan the park. The Plant City Garden Club landscaped and planted the foliage.
“It’s remarkable that the community joined together,” Closshey says.
The committee also hosted a contest for artists all over the country to design a sculpture for the park. In the end, Duane Scott’s Freedom Rising was selected.
The park was dedicated July 1, 2010. It was a rainy day, but about 500 people stayed.
“To us, that sealed the deal on how important this was to the community,” Closshey says. “It brought to our mind that the military serves us — no matter what the weather is.”
A masterpiece and a result of years of labor, it’s hard to believe the park has only been completed through the first phase.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The committee is working on getting phase two passed by the City Commission. The plan includes a 1,000-square-foot pergola area that would wrap around the north end of the brick area and gazebo. The pergola would include a 10-foot walkway to provide additional shaded seating and space for special events. Eight new benches also would be placed around the park.
The goals of phase two are to provide more seating and expand access. The additions would cost about $250,000.
“We have been working for months and months, and we’re ready to present it,” Closshey says.
In the future, the committee also has planned a phase three, which includes a large, 40-foot-by-60-foot pavilion that would match the style of the gazebo.
BRICK BY BRICK
Commemorative engraved bricks still are available for purchase. An online order form is available at veteransmonument.com or at The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce or the Veterans’ Memorial Monument Park. The bricks cost $150 each.“>http://xn--b1aafenuubb0a.xn--p1ai/raschetniy-schet-dlya-ooo.php