Memorial Park Master Plan

Village of Warwick to Host Open House for Plan at Veterans Memorial Park

Everyone is invited to the Pavilion at Veterans Memorial Park on Wednesday, May 31 at 6 p.m. AND / OR Sunday, June 4 at noon to view and discuss the draft master plan for the park. Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard and Trustee Carly Foster will give an overview of the process and plan and the public will be able to add their feedback. See below for more on the process to develop the draft to date.

Follow the progress as the Village develops the Memorial Park Master Plan.

The Village of Warwick is developing a master plan for Veteran’s Memorial Park, located at Memorial Park Drive and Forester Ave.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic and others in the suggestion box at Village Hall or in the Virtual suggestion box.

What is a master plan?

A master plan is a document that sets the vision and goals for the park and guides all future decisions made about the park, including what should change and what should stay the same. That means that the master plan will outline the types of activities and changes that might be appropriate for the park over time, as well as where those changes will make the most sense based on the needs of the community and its goals for the park.

Why is a master plan important?

It is important that decisions made about our public spaces are transparent and clear, and aligned with our community’s vision for itself. Once the master plan is adopted, it will provide a “roadmap” to ensure that any future changes to the park are made according to the plan, which will be published and available for all to see.

When are we developing the plan?

Right now! We expect the plan to be complete in Spring 2023.

How are we developing the master plan and who is involved?

Step 1: Hire a landscape architect – complete

On May 16, 2022, the Village Board voted to hire landscape architect, Karen Arent (website), to develop the plan using feedback from our community. Ms. Arent also worked with the Village on the Stanley Deming Park Master Plan.

Step 2: Hold an initial public listening session – complete

The Village held a listening session at Veteran’s Memorial Park on May 22, 2022 to get initial feedback on the vision for the park. Click here to learn more about the listening session and its outcomes.

Step 3: Convene a stakeholder advisory group – complete

The Village assembled a stakeholder advisory group that is representative of all age groups (from teens up) and provides representation across our cultural and racial diversity in the Village, as well as organizations that do and could use the park.

Stakeholder advisory group responsibilities:

  • Liaison to other organizations
  • Consider and communicate the needs of our community
  • Problem solve and seek consensus toward solutions that will be best for our community
  • Provide a vetting point and opportunity to refine ideas that reflect the feedback we receive from the community
  • Help communicate about the plan process – what is happening and why

Step 4: Hold a series of meetings with the stakeholder advisory group – in progress

  • Below are summaries from meetings held to date:
    • Click HERE for meeting materials from November 14, 2022
    • Click HERE for a summary of Youth in Government engagement session December 7, 2022
    • Click HERE for meeting materials from December 12, 2022
    • Click HERE for meeting materials from January 23, 2023
    • Click HERE for meeting materials from April 10, 2023

The Village is currently planning a public open house to review the draft plan, to be updated based on feedback from the April 10 meeting!

Step 5: Publish a draft of the Master Plan for public comment and hold a public meeting to review the draft plan – in progress. Come to one or both options for the open house to view and discuss the plan at the Pavilion at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Wednesday, May 31 at 6 p.m. AND / OR Sunday, June 4 at noon.

Step 6: Publish and adopt the final Master Plan, integrating community feedback – not started; estimated to take place late Spring, early Summer 2023