There are several considerations when evaluating changes at Memorial Park in Dunkirk. When I was young I remember my grandfather George Sr. and father George Jr. saying that Memorial Park enjoyed some sort of special status, perhaps use restricted by covenants and restrictions, or by city proclamation. It was a veterans park in its entirety.

I don’t know how true that is but we must ensure that any development is in accordance with any special status if it exists. In other words someone needs to look into this and not casually blow it off.

The Director of Public works told me in July 2023 the new water tower encroached upon the park because of “homeland security” requirements. As someone who has been actively employed in maritime security since my USCG retirement over 20 years I doubt that. If true, and an encroachment was required, how did that happen in accordance with any use restrictions if in fact they exist?

If development is allowed, then I think it is very important to not obscure the lake from Lake Shore drive by building a structure. A permanent structure would ruin the view. Perhaps a stage adjacent to the existing memorials, but no other structures. The bands we have down there do not need a “green room.”

Also, our Music on the Pier is unique and we should not ruin that. The Boardwalk businesses rely on the revenue from Music on the Pier. Music in the Park reduces foot traffic and revenue for them.

If park development is officially restricted there are many improvements that can be made.

I have long advocated for the return of the Neptune statue to Dunkirk. Perhaps that can be moved to the center of the west/ open area of the park and a series of walkways with rose and flower gardens established there. Maintaining the gardens might be a good project for one of our many social clubs.”

I envision a curved and winding walkway with even the stone memorials placed strategically along the path with a bench to meditate at. I’ve seen these things in many places during my travels.

Alternative places for Neptune could be at the end of the pier or even in the round area currently occupied by the big chair.

Many cities in the U.S. have certain structures or statues that serve as a design center piece for those cities. Neptune would serve a great identity and marketing purpose for Dunkirk if incorporated and used in this way.

Within the existing memorial area at the center, under no circumstances should the base of the former “largest one piece flag pole in the world” be touched. This contains the plaques honoring or World War I vets including my grandfather, George Sr.

In July 2023 I wrote to Council about the parking situation along the fence by the water tower. My concerns centered around the perceived unfairness of designating half of the spots in the downtown area along that fence. Those spots are on a gravel/unfirm surface that would seem to violate ADA standards. It would seem as if the City is opening themselves up to liability by telling handicapped persons to park in that area. I would think that my July 2023 letter would be discoverable if someone slipped and sued the city. The handicap spots are not even near anything of interest.

Also, the city went out of its way to erect No Parking signs at the edge of the gravel so Yacht Club persons cannot park on the grass.

How is it that food trucks can line up in the eastern/concert area on the grass, but no one can occasionally park on the grass on the western edge? Clearly parking should paved and expanded slightly, but incorporated nicely into the design of the western park.

George H. Burns III is a Fredonia resident and an annual participant in Memorial Day services in the city of Dunkirk.