The Lookout Valley Neighborhood Association is leading the charge to enlist volunteers and donations to complete a new Veteran Memorial Plaza at John A. Patten Recreation Center.
“Many Lookout Valley residents have served in a branch of the military and it’s time for us to recognize everyone’s effort to keep our country safe,” said Charlie Galvin, past president of the Board of Directors for the Lookout Valley Neighborhood Association.
The Lookout Valley Neighborhood Association is beginning the first phase of development for the new Veteran Memorial Plaza at John A. Patten Recreation Center. From left are APAC Midsouth plant manager Jason Ollis, LVNA past president Charlie Galvin and Sun and Shade Garden Center owner Don Smith.During a groundbreaking for the first phase of construction at the main entrance of John A Patten LVNA members and community volunteers planted oak leaf hydrangeas on both sides of the main entrance.
“The next phase has to be setting down the pavers,” said Galvin, who is working with the city of Chattanooga and community members to raise funds and resources needed to complete the project.
Galvin said the idea for the project came from the city of Chattanooga, which had already drawn out future plans for John A. Patten that included the memorial, which will be a semicircular plaza with a brick walkway so visitors can walk near the flag poles and a natural rock monument.
Ken Kinnamon, a local landscape architect, designed the memorial to include a pole for the American flag as well as six smaller flag poles, one for each of the six branches of the military. The plans also include four benches for visitors to rest on as well as a variety of plants for ambiance.
The dogwood tree already in front of the center will become part of the memorial, as well as the ramps and sidewalks currently at the entrance.
Galvin expects the project will be completed by September, but donations of time, money and resources are still greatly needed.
“This is the main entrance to the center,” Galvin said. “When people come to the recreation center, it will be the first thing that greets them when they arrive.”