PLATTSBURGH — The first phase of a major project that will bring the area’s history alive is open for business.
“This is going to be the biggest history project we’ve ever had here,” John Rock, local historian and organizer of the Battlefield Memorial Gateway, said.
“This is going to be very important for the area, and it is going to bring people in to walk this beautiful park and learn about our history. This is now a reality. It isn’t just a bunch of pictures anymore.”
PROJECT HISTORY
The Battlefield Memorial Gateway project was hatched in 2017 and it features a park on a stretch of land in the Town of Plattsburgh off Route 9 near Clare and Carl’s restaurant.
The park will feature interactive models for kids, plaques describing the history that happened in the area going back 200 years, and a walking trail dedicated to the Purple Heart Community in honor of veterans.
The project has been bolstered by more than $1.3 million in funding from governmental grants and private donations, including a $900,000 grant from the New York State Waterfront Revitalization Program Environmental Protection Fund.
SUBSTANTIAL STRIDE
Phase One, which includes the outline of the park area and the Purple Heart Community walking trail, which connects with the City of Plattsburgh’s Terry Gordon Bike Path, was recently completed.
A ceremony was held Friday to mark the opening and to honor veterans.
“This momentous event represents a substantial stride forward in a project that has been years in the making, unifying our community in a collective effort to honor, educate and inspire visitors from all walks of life through the unfolding chapters of the American story,” Town Supervisor Michael Cashman said.
“The Battlefield Memorial Gateway, a visionary project designed for multigenerational use, stands as a focal point for reflection and community engagement.”
LABOR OF LOVE
In addition to state and local support, the project was also aided by efforts from Casella Waste Systems for site remediation, Luck Brothers, the contractors for the project, and Plattsburgh Memorials, which donated the monument for the Purple Heart Community trail.
“This project has been a labor of love, and we eagerly anticipate its continual growth and development as we work towards the ultimate goal of completion in 2026, aligning with the United State’s 250th anniversary,” Cashman said.
‘A GREAT VISION’
State Assemblyman D. Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) who was instrumental in securing state funds for the project, said the project is just remarkable.
“It’s a great vision,” Jones said.
“This is only the beginning folks. My hat is off to all the groups that have collaborated here and have done such a wonderful job. This is amazing.”
Jones said the park will do wonders for educating the masses about the history of the region, which is so important.
“Anytime that you can bring the historical significance of this area along with honoring our veterans and educating future generations to come on the sacrifices that those veterans made, it’s nothing but a winning combination for this region, this town, this county, this entire area,” he said.
HONORING ALL OF OUR VETERANS
Joe Patnode, commander of the Clinton County American Legion, said the park will rightly honor veterans.
“This is totally probably the best thing that we could have had happen here in Clinton County,” Patnode said.
“There’s a lot of rich history here, and it is going to take a lot of money to keep this rich history alive so we’re going to be out soliciting for more donations for this project to continue on, and hopefully we will be able to honor all of our veterans past, present and future and also educate our youth. So this is going to be a community effort along with all of our veterans in the community.”
Rock said the area deserves a project like the Battlefield Memorial Gateway since it has so much history. Most notably in that history are battles from the Revolutionary War off Valcour Island and the Battle of Plattsburgh, a major part of the War of 1812 with Britain.
Dozens of American soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Plattsburgh are buried on Crab Island, just off the shore from the park.
“This park is going to be very educational and it also is going to be healing for our veterans, and it will also be honoring all of our veterans that have served and need a place just to come in and reminisce with old friends or or have group outings,” Rock said.
“And this is also going to be great for families so they can come and learn and the kids can play and see all kinds of things that we will have here. So this is a very important project for our area for the simple fact that this area is so rich in history.”