Discussions on Memorial for Heroic Pasadenans Underway

The City Council discussed in a meeting last week the possible construction of a memorial to honor Pasadena residents who have heroically given up their lives in the recent wars.

The City will implement the Public Park and Recreational Facility Park Monument Policy to determine the qualifications of a monument request considering the limited number of local sites available for memorials.

In their recent newsletter the City Manager’s office published the procedure in assessing the proposed monument. The newsletter said the project sponsor must first submit a letter of intent to the Director of Public Works containing the preliminary plans for the project.

Four guidelines were given for making preliminary plans: monuments should be constructed with materials compatible to the park it will be built on; must reflect a cultural and historical significance to the City or surrounding neighborhood; should pertain to an individual or event that made a significant contribution to the community, country and state; and proposed donations that are designated as Public Art by the Arts and Culture Commission definition are subject to evaluation.

The proposed monument will be evaluated based on appropriateness, compatibility, impact on park use, aesthetics, maintenance and safety.

The Department of Public Works will review the proposal and submit it to the Recreation and Parks Commission for review and comment.

Officials said the commission will advise all property owners within 1,000 feet of the park as well as other interested parties of the date and time of the public review for an opportunity to give public comment.

The department will then work with the sponsor to refine or amend the proposed monument, and afterwards present the recommendation of the commission to the City Council for consideration at a public meeting.

The City Manager will include information about the community process to install a memorial in parks and recreational facilities in an upcoming newsletter to be published at http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/CityManager/CM_Newsletters.