Memorial to be built in Trinity Park
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When a memorial in Trinity Park opens this fall, Fort Worth will finally have a place to honor some of its fallen heroes.
The Fort Worth Police and Fire Fighters Memorial, designed by Gideon Toal, will span five acres off Seventh Street, adjacent to the buildings constructed by the WPA during the 1930s.
The memorial will feature the names of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters in the city’s history and a sculpture of a riderless horse. In addition, more than 100 trees will be planted.
According to Jason Lamers, public information officer for the city of Fort Worth, awareness of the need for the memorial has grown in recent years, after the deaths of police officers Hank Nava and Dwayne Freeto.
“There was really no place for families to mourn,” he said.
Last October, a groundbreaking ceremony for the memorial took place at the site in Trinity Park.
Since its inception, the project has raised almost $1.3 million from individuals, community organizations, schools and businesses. Oil and gas companies alone have donated $345,000 to the effort.
“We are especially honored to support our fire and police departments who serve and protect us on a daily basis,” said Jerri Robbins, a public relations spokesperson with Chesapeake Energy Corporation. “[The memorial] will be a beautiful addition to the Trinity Park area and a true place of recognition for those who gave so much to this city and its residents.”
Last year, a $200,000 donation from Devon Energy Corporation put the fundraising over the top.
“One of the cornerstones of Devon’s community outreach philosophies is strong support of emergency responders,” said Gilbert Horton, senior community relations adviser. “We were very proud, not only as a company but as employees, to be involved in this project.”
For more information, visit www.cfwfallenheroes.org.
