The Yates County Veterans Memorial Park (YCVMP) is seeking community input about the Yates County Veterans Memorial Park.
In June, the organization entered into an agreement with the Village to create the Veterans Memorial Park in Lakeview Cemetery in the area from Elm St to the Wagener Chapel. The park will become an inclusive and educational space to remember Yates County veterans, while also harnessing the cemetery’s qualities as a serene, welcoming place for gathering and reflection.
“This project is a marathon, not a sprint,” says YCVMP Board President Herbie Snyder. “We’re calling on the community to help bring this vision to life.” The team is currently documenting the existing conditions of the cemetery and chapel while conducting historical research. The YCVMP board has partnered with Cornell’s Design Connect to assist with the planning of the park. At the July 16 community check-in meeting, Cornell Architecture student Ray Wang will give a presentation before inviting questions and public feedback.
The board is especially seeking input from community members who have personal connections to Cemetery or the Chapel, and those with professional expertise in history, architecture, engineering, preservation, or fundraising. Community stories and local knowledge will shape the future Veterans Memorial Park and ensure it reflects the values and history of Yates County.
For at least 30 years, the Wagener Chapel—a bequest to the community by Henrietta Monell, daughter of Abraham Wagener—has been in disuse and deteriorating. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the chapel not only holds deep historical significance, but its original altruistic intention and elegant space will be an important piece of the Veterans Memorial Park.
YCVMP aims to raise money to fund the park’s design, chapel preservation, memorial installations, landscaping, and visitor amenities. Donations are welcome and can be mailed to: YCVMP, P.O. Box 133, Penn Yan, NY 14527.
Anyone interested in supporting the project can contact Douglas Gibbs at the Yates County Veterans Services Agency at 315.536.5196 or email ycvmpinc@google.com.
About The Yates County Veterans Memorial Park, Inc.
The YCVMP is a 501c3 organization dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of our county’s veterans by creating a Veterans Memorial Park in Yates County. Our mission is to provide a serene and respectful space in Yates County where individuals and communities can gather to reflect, pay tribute, and express gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who have served in the armed forces.
