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Princeton veterans ask council to officially name City Hall Park 'Veterans Park' and set oversight rules
Summary
Representatives of the Princeton Veterans Group asked the City Council to remove certain plaques and monuments, formalize park guidelines to honor all veterans equally, and officially rename City Hall Park as Veterans Park; council assigned a liaison and set a target of the second January meeting to present a resolution.
Lynn Mullins, representing the Princeton Veterans Group, asked the Princeton City Council to formally name the city-owned green space east of Main Street “Veterans Park,” remove some larger plaques and monuments she said contradict the park’s purpose, and adopt written guidelines so future upgrades honor all veterans equally.
“The Princeton Veterans Group is a self given name … made up of the VFW post 43 23, the American Legion post 125, and the AMVETS post 180,” Mullins said, adding the groups work together to maintain plaques and ceremonies. “We request that the council name the park … known to all locals as Veterans Park.”
Council members agreed to assign Don Slutsky as the council liaison to work with the veterans and aimed to bring a resolution or proclamation to the second meeting in January that would formally name the park. Mayor Mabry said the timeline would allow staff and council to prepare the necessary language and housekeeping items.
Members of the Lions Club, which has helped maintain plantings and park features, raised concerns about any transfer of responsibilities and about items that the club previously installed. “It is the city that owns that park,” Geraldine Woodley said, noting the Lions added features with city approval and asking that those contributions be acknowledged in any change in oversight.
Al Weber, a longtime Lions Club officer, said the veterans had accepted responsibility for ongoing maintenance in recent months but urged clearer documentation and follow-up. Council members directed staff and the veterans’ representatives to meet after the meeting and provide the council written materials tracing prior conversations and the May request referenced by Mullins.
Next steps: the council’s liaison will meet with veterans and Lions Club representatives, staff will assemble minutes and documentation from prior discussions, and the council expects a naming resolution to be drafted for consideration at the second January meeting.
