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Sikeston park project will shed light on local veterans
Veterans Park in Sikeston is planning a new project.
The Sikeston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Veterans Park Committee and Sikeston Parks and Recreation have chosen to launch the Sikeston Honors Banner and Light Project at the Veteran Park.
On the walkway next to Veterans Park, 16 historic light posts will be put up, and each one will have a banner honoring a local veteran. The plan is to include a QR code on each light pole so that as visitors walk through the park, they may scan the code with their phone’s camera and read about that veteran and read history.
Kathy Medley, executive vice president of the Sikeston Convention and Visitors Bureau, got the unique idea a few years back when she attended a Missouri Main Street conference where other communities had done this.
According to Medley, the QR codes placed on the banners will be instructive as well as beautify the park.
“It’s interpretive; it’s educational; it’s honoring veterans, and it’s beautifying the park,” Medley said.
Medley said she came across a grant that would apply to the project, so she met with Sikeston Parks and Recreation and the Veterans Park Committee.
“I first met with Parks and Recreation to see if they would be interested, and they absolutely loved it,” Medley said. “Then I went to Veterans Park Committee because, to me, that’s their park.
She continued: “They maintain it; they’ve put all the displays in there, and so I met with them, and they were on board, so then it’s like, okay, let’s do it.”
Medley said the banners’ specifications are still being worked out, but the intention is for the banners to rotate every few years.
“To get started, we will probably have sponsors for the light poles to help cover the cost, and then let them choose the veteran that they want to honor,” Medley said. “We will rotate those banners every few years, so we will take the banner down, give it to the family and then hopefully have a list of other veterans that want to be honored.”
Medley also said many people are unaware of the park’s history, and with the QR codes, visitors would be able to learn more about it.
“A lot of people don’t know the history, so it’s going to kind of bring a little more awareness about why the park is there,” Medley said.
Medley said although not all of the specifics of the project and the process of getting veterans on banners have been determined, they plan to provide a form for anyone who desires to have a veteran on a banner.
Medley noted there will be a cost to having a veteran put up a banner, but those expenses will only be to cover the cost of the banner.
“We believe Sikeston Veterans Park is a highlight of our community. The proposed lighting and recognition of area veterans will greatly enhance the use of our park,” said Sikeston Veterans Park Committee Chairman Steve Taylor.
Established by the City and the Chamber in 1991, the Sikeston Veterans Park Committee has added displays and improvements over the years to honor Sikeston’s history and veterans, Taylor said.
“However, use has been restricted to daytime hours and the addition of lighting will increase the times that the Park is available. Also the display of pennants on the light poles will allow further recognition for our area Armed Services heroes,” Taylor said. “We look forward to partnering this project with the Tourism Committee and our many area supporters.”
Anyone with questions about the project, can contact the Sikeston Regional Chamber, Parks and Recreation or the Veterans Park Committee.