Ground preparation work continues for updated Clinton County Veterans Park

RecordStaffJuly 7, 2023Last Updated: July 7, 2023

1 minute read

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Thursday was moving day for the Clinton County Veterans Memorial. A handful of volunteers from the Committee to Renew Veterans Park, with some help from a few others, picked summer’s hottest day to carry out the excavation of the Barre granite Clinton County Veterans Memorial and the large World War II Memorial honoring those killed in action.

Those memorials were carefully removed from the Clinton County Veterans Park and relocated to their new home adjacent to Clinton County’s Piper Building as the current park will soon be home to a multi-faceted tribute to those county residents who served the United States in the military in the time of need, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Those on-site Thursday to carry out the work included Dave Harger, head of the renewal committee, along with Jim Russo and John Hoy and representatives from Allison Crane and Nestlerode Contracting (in Ed Nestlerode III). Harger also cited assistance from Andrew Noll from Clinton County Memorials and Gibson Monument Co.

Harger thanked Clinton County Commissioners Miles Kessinger, Jeff Snyder and Angela Harding for their cooperation in the relocation of some of the existing park monuments to their new location near the county Piper Building. He noted once the Water Street park project is completed, additional improvements will be made on the grounds adjacent to the county administration building.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond the committee’s control, it will not be able to meet its mid-August deadline to dedicate the upgraded Water Street site. Harger told The Record, “Our artwork will not be done in fiscal 2023 due to long lead times at foundries; it’s frustrating but it’s the world we live in now post Covid.” He did say the park’s main art feature has been completed by the sculptor, to be released for bronzing next week.

Next up on the Water Street site will be the stripping of topsoil and the beginning of the layout. Also, the Fort Reed monument must be relocated. Harger said the park flag poles are on hand. He said the fountain needs some additional planning and likely will be done in stages.

He also said at some point the relocated monuments will be rededicated.