BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Starke City Commissioners have accepted in concept a plan to keep the Charles Schaefer Veterans Memorial Park downtown.
The idea now is to move the park behind the bandshell at the Downtown Square.
Commissioners will rescind a prior resolution to move the park to Edwards Road once the details of the new plan have been presented.
American Legion Post 56 Commander Norman Dowdy said this location — which sits on a now-closed portion of Water Street in front of a retention pond next to the railroad overpass — serves the commission’s purpose of providing a safer space to honor Bradford County military veterans. The Edwards Road location lacks adequate parking, he said, and there could be scheduling conflicts with sporting events as well as incidents with children darting from one side of the road to the other.
It could also please veterans and other citizens who opposed the prior plan for moving the park to Edwards Road across from the ballpark. Dowdy said he collected more than 500 signatures challenging the city decision, which was approved with a 4-1 vote in April.
Dowdy called the new plan a compromise developed during a meeting between American Legion members and the Downtown Merchants. Details have also been shared with the Florida Department of Transportation. Contractors are still at work downtown finishing up work related to the overpass.
Dowdy was joined by restaurant owner Chrissy Allen in describing the vision, which includes placing flag poles honoring all of branches of the military, POWs and MIAs, and first responders, as well as the U.S. flag, in the retention pond by the overpass. Allen said they would still be accessible so the flags can be raised and lowered. Dowdy said they would be illuminated at light, and the placement would discourage tampering or vandalism. FDOT might place a fountain in the pond as well if it is a wet pond instead of dry. A design decision was pending commission approval, Allen said.
Dowdy also suggested the commission place a concrete memorial wall on the closed road opposite the retention pond to honor fallen heroes — both military veterans and first responders. A walkway around the retention pond could incorporate existing monuments when they are relocated.
Dowdy believes this move will be lest costly and allow funds already appropriated could be used to upgrade the memorial and showcase the community’s gratitude for service and sacrifice.
Allen said they would like the entire area known commonly as the Downtown Square to be named for Charles Schaefer and dedicated to both veterans and first responders. The square already has police memorials placed with the palm trees.
Mayor Scott Roberts said with other input about naming the entire square, which is part of the city’s City Walk revitalization plan, he didn’t want to commit to anything right now. The commission did unanimously vote in favor of the concept, which will be brought back to the board for approval when the details are fleshed out.
The city has not discussed plans for the property on East Call Street where the veterans memorial is currently located. An adjacent parcel is zoned for multifamily housing development.
