Parks commission backs concept for Angel of Hope memorial, asks council to consider mixed funding

The Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission voted Sept. 10 to recommend the concept of placing an Angel of Hope memorial somewhere in the city park system and asked the city council to decide the final location, scope and funding approach.

The commission’s recommendation does not select a preferred site or a final design. Adam Moss, Inver Grove Heights’ park and recreation director, told commissioners the Angel of Hope is a copyrighted monument tied to the Christmas Box/Angel of Hope network and that the city would need to work through Richard Paul Evans, Inc. to order the statue. Moss said the bronze statue alone would cost roughly $18,000, not counting a base, landscaping, site utilities or installation.

Commissioners discussed suitable placements (Heritage Village Park, Salem Hills Park and River Heights Park were highlighted in staff materials), accessibility and long-term operating costs. Moss emphasized that site utilities and maintenance drive much of the difference between a simple installation and a more elaborate memorial site: "Connecting utilities is gonna be a huge component of cost," he said.

After discussion, the commission moved to endorse the idea and leave recommended location, scope and funding strategy to the city council. Commissioners later amended the motion to add a recommendation that funding include a combination of private fundraising and city contributions. The amended motion was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition from the commissioners present.

Moss said if the council approves moving forward, the commission would expect to be involved in later design work and that any privately donated statue would still come before the commission for formal acceptance.

What it means: The commission’s action was a recommendation only; council review and an identified funding plan would be required before any site preparation, purchase or installation. Moss said the earliest steps would include securing a 50% deposit with the foundry, approving final inscription language required by the rights holder, and deciding whether the memorial will include features such as placards, lighting or brickwork.

The commission also discussed how other Minnesota cities have handled similar memorials: Duluth’s site is city-owned and maintained after private fundraising paid for the initial project; Woodbury and Maple Grove used private fundraising plus in‑kind city services and memorial foundations to develop more elaborate landscaped sites.

Next steps: Moss said the item will likely be scheduled for a council work session if the council wishes to pursue it, and if council approves the concept the PRAC would expect to participate in the design review and acceptance process.