Veterans Memorial Park reopens with historic expansion

Community celebrates new features, honors history and welcomes future generations

Over 500 attendees gathered in the heart of downtown Elgin Saturday in celebration of the city’s newly expanded Veterans Memorial Park.

The park’s $4.4 million expansion project, which broke ground in 2023, added two city blocks and revitalized the century- old space, paying homage to Elgin’s rich history while looking toward the future, according to city representatives.

Mayor Theresa McShan spoke proudly about the park’s significance to the community.

“I am proud of our town for creating a welcoming space for everyone in our downtown, which even when I was a child was a segregated area,” she said. “The children are going to love our life-size Kompan Robinia Wood Train, which was inspired by the 1871 locomotive that established Elgin in 1872.”

The park now features a variety of play elements, including a zipline, all-abilities merry-goround, swings, a wobble bridge and a climbing hill. The newly designed playground also includes a dry creek bed and a hand pump water feature, offering families an interactive gathering spot.

The addition of swinging benches and seating areas also encourage visitors of all ages to stay and enjoy the park’s atmosphere. A new stage, inspired by the lively “fandango” Hispanic Street Dances held in the park from the 1940s to the 1960s, adds to the park’s vibrant charm, and Native Texas plants chosen to support pollinators complete the space, according to the city.

“The excitement of the community for this new park downtown is contagious, and we are confident that this is the most interactive and most beautiful downtown park in Central Texas, maybe Texas as a whole,” said City Manager Tom Mattis. “We invite everyone to come see us in Elgin and enjoy our downtown.”

Anchoring the center of the park is a new public art piece, “Synchronicity of Color for Elgin 2024,” designed by local artist Margo Sawyer. The installation, which features fifty unique colors, was created using Elgin Butler Brick, generously donated for the project. Sawyer, a 2018 Guggenheim Foundation Fellow, is internationally recognized for her work.

“My art unites color, a metaphor that celebrates and honors our multicultural/ multidimensional world,” she said.

Sawyer’s work can also be found in public spaces across the country and internationally, including Pristina, Kosovo, Houston, Dallas and Austin.

Recognizing the park expansion as a major milestone in Elgin’s ongoing downtown revitalization efforts, the program also honored past leaders who played key roles in the city’s development.

Former Elgin mayor Eric Carlson, who championed revitalization efforts during his term from 1994 to 2005, was remembered for his dedication to the community. Carlson passed away in October 2022.

Marc Holm, whose vision transformed vacant lots along the Capital Metro railroad tracks into the new park space, was also honored. Holm passed away in December 2019. Additionally, former Elgin Chamber of Commerce president Gena Carter, who served from 2003 to 2022, was recognized for her contributions to the community.

Mattis emphasized the teamwork, dedication and partnerships required to complete the project, recognizing Community Services Director Amy Miller and Recreation & Leisure Services Manager Elizabeth Marzec for their leadership.

Funding for the park’s expansion came from a variety of partners, including the Ferguson Family McDonald’s, St. David’s Foundation, CARTS, American Rescue Plan Act Funds, Community Development Block Grant, T-Mobile Hometown Grant, Sandy Menley, Sherri and Tres Rivers, Margo Sawyer, Elgin Butler Brick Company, Elgin Main Street Board, Friends of Elgin Parks, Downtown Elgin, Inc. and the Marzec Family. The expansion project was designed by Studio 16:19 and constructed by G. Hyatt.

The grand opening event featured performances by the Elgin Gospel Choir, Cedar Creek High School Ballet Folklorico and the Hogeye Festival Sowpremes. The festivities concluded with a glow-in-the-dark dance party led by DJ Reese Boi.

With the revitalized Veterans Memorial Park now open, Elgin’s downtown district continues to thrive, with over $35 million in reinvestment and plans for further development, according to city representatives.