Harrison Park in Bloomington is set to become the site of a new veterans memorial, thanks to a partnership between the city and the nonprofit organization Bloomington Remembers Veterans. This space is envisioned not just as a symbol of honor for those who served, but as an interactive educational resource that beckons the wider community into its fold of remembrance and reflection.
The memorial, announced by the City of Bloomington, will be a feature of the larger Harrison Park and Nine Mile Creek Corridor renewal initiative. These enhancements to the park include a fresh parking lot design, better stormwater management, and improved spaces for public assembly.
Design features of the memorial will embody various military branches through armatures and will display service branch crests along with symbolic representations like dog tags. With a layout that includes walking paths and digital storytelling mechanisms amidst native plantings, the aim is to provide a versatile environment for both public events and individual contemplation.
"This memorial represents our community's commitment to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families," Mayor Tim Busse told the City of Bloomington. The project sees financial support from multiple angles with a $350,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), a generous $275,000 from the City of Bloomington, and $320,000 raised by Bloomington Remembers Veterans.
The expected completion date for the memorial is Veterans Day 2026, dovetailing with the timeline of the Harrison Park renewal project. The community can contribute via donations and veteran name submissions, which are still being accepted to enrich the solemnity and reach of the project. Interested donors and participants can find more information by visiting BloomingtonVeteransMemorial.org.
