Veterans’ Memorial Park in Cookstown is getting a facelift thanks to local legions, Veterans Affairs Canada, residents and the Town of Innisfil.
The park, which includes a grove of 65 maple trees and a cenotaph designed and built by Alfred Davis of Lefroy, commemorates the Cookstown residents who served and fell in the First and Second World Wars.
The concept of the park was first proposed in 1917. The village planted 65 maples – one for each resident who answered the call to serve in the First World War.
The cenotaph was added in 1935, and over the years has been fitted with plaques commemorating Cookstown’s war dead and those who served during the Korean conflict. In front of the memorial was placed a German First World War Minenwerfer (trench mortar), captured by the 102 Battalion on Aug. 8, 1918, at the Battle of Amiens.
Every year, Veterans’ Memorial Park has been the scene of Remembrance Day ceremonies and memorial wreath-layings, but over the past 100 years, both the trees and the cenotaph have been showing signs of wear and tear.
The trench mortar, which is corroding and badly rusted, was removed for restoration work in the fall of 2019. Work is expected to be completed this fall, although the cement pad needs to be replaced before the gun is returned to its former position in front of the cenotaph.
The cenotaph itself is in need of repairs, with damage to the plaques, a crack in its base, and chipping of the mortar between the stones.
But it’s the state of the mature maple trees, and three Norway spruce, that has raised the biggest concerns.
In 2019, a consulting arborist was hired to inspect and evaluate 60 trees. He recommended pruning, cabling, mulching and care for the majority of the trees, but also identified 14 trees that needed to be removed, because they could pose a risk to people or property, including one tree that has since collapsed.
This summer, the crown of the tree collapsed in high winds, causing damage to the adjacent cemetery fence and a gravestone.
The town has now taken down seven of the trees but, sensitive to the memorial function of each maple, plans to replant this month.
A report to council outlined the history of the park, and the work plan now underway. Ten more trees will be taken down next year – including seven additional maples identified as posing a risk, and three Norway spruce that are in poor health. The memorial trees will all be replaced, either with native sugar maples, or locally grown red maples.
The remaining work, to be carried out in 2021, includes repairs to the cenotaph, cement pad and walkway, new benches, improvements to drainage, landscaping, and tree removal, pruning and planting.
The staff report provided an update on what is being called the 'Cookstown Veterans Park Sustainability Plan.'
To date, the town has received $12,741 in funding for the work.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 547 (Lefroy-Belle Ewart) contributed $5,000 from its Poppy Fund and Alliston's Branch 171 provided $1,600.
The town has also received $1,500 in community donations and $4,641 from the Veterans Affairs Commemorative Partnership Fund. The municipality also plans to apply for an additional grant from Veterans Affairs for memorial repairs.
“It does need severe repair,” Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson said of the cenotaph and memorial park.
“I concur,” agreed Coun. Kevin Eisses. “We are getting close to Nov. 11. It is very significant, and we should do whatever we can.”
Mayor Lynn Dollin emphasized that the memorial nature of the trees in the park is being recognized, even though some of the trees and branches must be removed. She called it a “sensitive issue.”
“Each one of those trees represents a person,” the mayor said, noting that all memorial trees will be replaced.
The report was received for information.
