EMMAUS, Pa. — A new memorial could be making its way to Emmaus, splashing new life onto a central location to remember the community’s veterans, Borough Council was told Monday.
The Emmaus Veterans Group is seeking to redesign and rename Memorial Triangle, reshaping it into a renamed and redesigned Emmaus Veterans Memorial Triangle.
Once funded, the project will have new flags representing the armed forces and new circular walkways and gardens surrounding the stone memorials that are there to identify local veterans.
"Every day I walked by there, every day, there's a lot of people from the [nearby] high rise that go and just sit down and relax. So if this would make a really beautiful place for them."Emmaus Veterans Group Vice President John Eyer
“We're hoping to fundraise as much as we can," the veterans group Vice President John Eyer said.
"Every day I walked by there, every day, there's a lot of people from the [nearby] high rise that go and just sit down and relax. So this would make a really beautiful place for them."
The concept is expected to be approved at the group's following meeting before the borough's Memorial Day celebration.
Council members and staff at Monday's meeting spoke positively and were supportive of the group’s presentation.
Members of the group say they hope to show the plans to the community as part of the borough's Memorial Day parade celebrations.
"That piece of property I feel is overlooked by too many people because it just kind of blends in," said Councilman Chris Hoenscheid.
"I think I think this is what the community needs, and it's what the veterans deserve."
The Emmaus Memorial Triangle is at Third and Fourth streets and currently houses memorials for local veterans.
That's not to be confused with Triangle Park, a central gathering place in the borough’s downtown that supports many festivals and gatherings throughout the year, including the Emmaus Farmers Market.
Project estimated to cost $120k
The idea for the redesign goes back years, according to the council and group members.
The group manages flags at veterans' grave sites, holds flag retirement ceremonies and organizes Emmaus Memorial Day activities.
The area of flowers kept by the Emmaus Garden Club would remain, but a tree present at the triangle planted in memory of John Reiss will be relocated to Lions Park.
Construction for the project would happen after funds are raised. Designers Still Waters Landscaping estimated the cost at $120,000.
The group said it has about $15,000 in seed money to begin the project.
Borough Manager Shane Pepe said the borough would explore grant options with them for the project, and work to improve the sidewalks nearby.
