Appleton may relocate memorials, rename Memorial Park

The memorials that the city hopes to relocate are currently at Pierce Park, honoring the Gettysburg Address and the Spanish-American War. Soldier’s Square, the doughboy statue and the recently unveiled Vietnam War Memorial will all remain in their current locations.

“We should be having something like this in a town this size,” said John Koehler, board member of the Fox Valley Veterans Council, referring to the proposal at Memorial Park. “Around the state – La Crosse, other even smaller communities have more to offer for veterans than what we do.”

The city may also create new memorials to honor veterans of more recent wars, or a memorial that honors all soldiers from the War of Independence through today, per Schultz.

“I’m really eager to have these conversations,” said Schultz, speaking on memorial relocation and creation. “The city has done a lot of great work, and we really appreciate what we’ve been able to do in the past, but we just have a couple things that have just been hanging out there waiting for something to happen.”

Appleton’s Veterans Park was created to honor the city’s veterans, but some say it lacks the size and tributes to properly honor them.

“We have done nothing in the park system,” said Jack Voight, a Vietnam War veteran and Appleton resident. “The park system needs to be changed… We need a plan.”

Added Koehler: “Our current Veterans Park really doesn’t have a whole lot of veterans memorabilia. I think we could do a better job on it.”

Parks Director Dean Gazza estimates the name change would cost about $1,000. Specific plans on a relocation of memorials or any new construction would be determined after the name change is approved.

The name change could happen this year, but further plans likely would be executed in 2026 and beyond.