Pembroke's Veterans Memorial Park is in need of renovations. On June 29, the Veterans Memorial Park Revitalization Working Group presented plans that take the town one step closer to realizing the dream of a beautiful, modern testimony to Pembroke's veterans. Citizens saw a detailed slide show explaining the current state of the park and plans for its future.
The current park is in disrepair and needs modernization to become ADA compliant. Work on the plan started in 2018, but came to a standstill during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2025 Christopher Perry became chair of the Pembroke Historical Commission and made the park a priority.
Pembroke Veterans Memorial Park is located on Center Street directly in front of First Church. The monuments dedicated to the fallen, old world cannons and granite benches can be seen from the street. The concrete bases of the cannons are crumbling and the walkways are becoming overgrown and unsafe. The wooden sign to Memorial Park is rotted. The solar panel, installed to provide power to the flag illumination is not working; the lawn is brown and patchy.
Currently, Memorial Park is in a state of disrepair. Photos by Mike Corkren
The updated park will feature stamped concrete pathways, irrigation for the lawn and an amphitheater. Power for the well pump and all lighting will be provided by a solar power system. Both the water and electrical systems will be located in and on the amphitheater.
Rendering of the renovated park. Solar panels will be located on the roof of the amphitheater and the water pump system will be located inside. Photos: Rendering from presentation.
All the monuments will be cleaned and sealed and new benches will be installed. The cannon bases will be replaced and each monument will be landscaped with shrubs and flowers.
New benches and landscaping will surround the World Wars, Vietnam and Korean war monuments. Photos: Rendering from presentation.
The current park lacks a Revolutionary War monument. The 9/11 monument will be moved from the far right of the park, when viewing from Center Street, to the far left, and in its place a Revolutionary War monument will be added - putting all the monuments in chronological order.
The new Revolutionary War Monument will feature a replica of the Pembroke Resolves, sealed in acrylic and embedded in the granite. The monument design will be similar to the 9/11 memorial with each book-ending the park.
Space is available at the north end of the park if future monuments are necessary.
The wooden sign will be replaced with granite and aluminum using the same lettering as the Town Hall and the Community Center.
The cost of the renovation is estimated at $550,000 to $650,000. The working group hopes to fund the project through State and Federal grants as well as fundraising. The Pembroke Foundation is working with the group, and several grants have been approved awaiting the new fiscal year.
In attendance were both of Pembroke's State Representatives, Kathy LaNatra and Ken Sweezey, who expressed their support for the project.
Representative Sweezey stated, "I could not be more excited for a more worthy project in town. Pembroke is proud of its place in history and in service from the Revolution to today, and it is appropriate that our monuments reflect that. I am thankful that this effort is homegrown and being spearheaded by veterans, for veterans. With the enthusiasm and new life that this project now entails, I have no doubt that it will see a successful conclusion. I am excited to be a small piece of the team bringing this together and see where the state can collaborate with the committee and foundation to complete this project."
Representative LaNatra added,"It has been a pleasure to help support and be a partner to those working on the Pembroke Veterans Memorial revitalization project. It is so important for communities to have a space to honor and reflect on the sacrifices of the residents of their community who answered the call to service and gave so much in defense of our freedoms. As we celebrate the nation's 250th birthday, this project is of even more importance. I am committed to continuing to work with my partners, Senator Fernandes and Representative Sweezey, in the Pembroke delegation to help find funding for this project and work with the amazing residents like Chris Perry, who are dedicating so much time to this project, to help see it through to a finished revitalized memorial."
Now that the plans have been presented to the public, the Veterans Park project can move forward.
The importance of the project was reiterated by working group chair and presenter Christopher Perry, "A Memorial Park is a living monument. By renewing this space, we have remembrance and honor with those who served, it will never fade with time.”
