Memorial Bridge Veterans Park Design Takes Shape

City Councilors received a lot more information about a proposed Memorial Bridge Veterans Park that a Portsmouth couple wants to build in front of the new span.

to build the proposed veterans park last spring and on Monday night Deputy City Manager Dave Allen showed councilors what it will look like.

Allen said the design calls for the creation of bronze plaques for each branch of the Armed Services and flags for the City of Portsmouth, State of New Hampshire and the United States.

Allen said the couple also wants to use old recycled granite blocking from the original Memorial Bridge to create the proposed veterans park that will include cast copper wreaths.

Councilor Esther Kennedy asked Allen, “What’s the lighting going to be?” Kennedy said it would be good if the proposed Memorial Bridge Veterans Park could have some ground lighting or soft lighting. Allen said the design calls for some lighting.

Assistant Mayor Robert Lister said members of the city’s Veterans Committee also would like to be involved in the project.

Councilor Chris Dwyer said that since it will be close to the former Connie Bean Recreation Center where a memorial veterans plaque will be placed, it would be good if they could complement each other.

City Manager John Bohenko said the design that the Teetzels have proposed has grown quite a bit from the one they initially approached the city with last spring.