The Veteran’s Park Committee of Coon Rapids is searching for a location to honor all veterans who have served from WWl to present. The proposed memorial would honor those who have served, as well as those who have given their lives for our country. The committee has suggested to place the new park on the south end of the Thomas Rest Haven park. To create this memorial, the swings located on the southern end of the park would need to be removed. Those involved with this petition are asking for reconsideration of the location for this memorial.

The Thomas Rest Haven park is the only park in the southern part of Coon Rapids which provides play equipment for children. This park has visitors’ year-round! Cold temperatures and snow do not keep children (of all ages) from playing there! Removing the swings would take away from the park, which in turn, takes away from the youth in our community.

The residents of Thomas Rest Haven and Park View Assisted Living enjoy watching children playing in the park. During warmer months residents and children enjoy the park together. The park provides a place for visitor to spend valuable time with their loved ones outside of TRH. There is no denying, that this park brings people (of all ages) together. Removing the swings, without a replacement would be a detriment to our park, which would affect our community young and old.

Although the equipment is dated and some of it needs to be replaced (another issue which needs to be addressed), this park brings community and non-community members together. It is part of our downtown. It is a place where children and families to go be together. It is a place where memories are made. Taking away from this park and the people it serves is not something of our selfless soldiers would agree with.

Please take a moment to sign this petition to show your support for keeping the swings in the Thomas Rest Haven Park. The collected signatures will be presented to the Coon Rapids Parks and Recreation Committee on April 4, 2017.