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Residents and veterans urge Livingston to keep Sacajawea Park memorials as parks plan advances
Summary
Multiple veterans groups and residents told the Livingston City Commission they fear planned changes to Sacajawea Miles Park could remove or relocate two veterans memorials and a flagpole. City staff said there is no active plan to remove the memorials and said the parks master plan remains in draft and open to public comment.
Dozens of residents and veterans urged the Livingston City Commission on Tuesday to preserve two veterans memorials and the flagpole at Sacajawea Miles Park, saying the monuments are historic and should not be removed as the city updates its parks master plan.
The most direct statements came from veterans and veterans’ organizations including Melody Mount, who identified herself as adjutant of the American Legion; Eric Bradley, who introduced himself as commander of Veterans Support and Wars Post 2154; and Cheryl Kaudsman, president of the American Legion Auxiliary. Christina Nelson, a resident of False Creek Road, told the commission removal of the memorial would “show disrespect” to veterans and their families and could cause “undue stress and harm.”
The group said the memorials and flagpole are elements of the recently listed Sacajawea Miles Park Historic District and cited the park’s connection to Works Progress Administration-era improvements. Melody Mount told commissioners she was told at an earlier meeting that the triangular memorial at the intersection of South Yellowstone Street and McGee Drive might be moved, relocated behind the Civic Center, or removed. Members of the public asked the commission to restore the flag and flagpole and to keep the memorials in place.
City Manager Grant Gager answered questions from the dais and the public, saying the parks master plan process is ongoing and that the city had not received or approved any recommendation to remove the memorials. "There is no active plan to remove the memorial that exists in the triangle," Gager said, adding the project is not finished and that staff had “received draft comments” from the city’s consultant earlier in the day and would review and return them to a public process.
Gager also noted the existence of two memorial locations in the park: a hexagonal memorial and the triangle memorial with a flagpole. He described both as “nice, quiet, contemplative” spaces and said the parks master plan draft will be circulated for additional public feedback before it returns to the commission for review and possible adoption.
Commissioners and city staff repeatedly urged patience while the consultant’s draft recommendations are reviewed and then released for community comment. Chair Quintin Schwartz and others told speakers the city will provide further opportunities for public input. "The project is far from complete, and public input also is far from complete," Gager said.
Why this matters: The memorials are focal points for Memorial Day and other veteran observances and are listed as resources in the Sacajawea Miles Park nomination. Any changes to the park’s configuration could change how those memorials are sited and accessed. Public speakers said they want the city to prioritize preserving the memorials and restoring the flagpole — several commenters offered to raise funds for replacement or repair.
What’s next: City staff said they will review consultant recommendations internally, post the draft for public review, and circulate the timeline for additional public meetings. Residents were encouraged to monitor the city newsletter and website for the parks master plan draft and comment opportunities.
