Dover Veterans Park | Dover, NH

Ironwood Design Group is honored to have been part of the development of the Dover Veterans Park in collaboration between Dover’s city leaders and veterans and Rye Beach Landscaping. The park honors all veterans both living and deceased with a pleasant, public space that is contemplative and peaceful.

The circular brick and granite plaza is located on the axis with City Hall and the McConnell Center. The plaza is designed to accommodate intimate gatherings as well as large events and services. Five granite monuments commemorate the five branches of the military with cast bronze plaques, as well as engravings of each branch’s motto and date of formation. There are also seven paver stones to recognize the seven reserve and guard units. Bricks are etched with the names and information of service members, giving families the opportunity to honor their veterans in a permanent way.

Two large seat walls constructed of honed granite embrace the circular plaza, and are engraved with a dedication from the City. The center stone is engraved with the City Seal, under which there is a time-capsule vault. The plan is to place a time-capsule in the vault on the City’s 400^th Anniversary, to be opened on the 500^th. The space is fully ADA accessible including several seating areas alongside benches for people who have wheelchairs.

Plantings include six Fringetree (Chionanthus restusus) which offer a dramatic bloom close to Memorial Day and lovely yellow fall color for Veterans Day. The design also includes Lilac (Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’), which is the New Hampshire state flower and will also be in bloom on Memorial Day.