Published on Monday, October 24, 2005
in the St. Augustine Record

Palm Coast to recognize fallen heroes with a park

PALM COAST -- Since Palm Coast's inception in 1999, the city has exploded in population, new construction, new schools and new jobs. Now, the city says its focus is on honoring the past and the local heroes who contributed to the area with the greatest sacrifice -- their lives.

To do this, Hero's Memorial Park will be built to honor those who lost their life while serving in the military, law enforcement, and emergency services such as the fire department.

"People who lay down their lives to protect mankind should be recognized, and this gives us an opportunity to recognize those from Palm Coast who have given the maximum or ultimate sacrifice," said John Jackson, Palm Coast Parks and Recreation.

Jackson will oversee the park project, which will be on two acres of land the city owns along Palm Coast Parkway. There will be benches and a walking path that leads to four separate areas or "contemplation points," said Jackson.

The four areas will honor local law enforcement, firefighters and emergency personnel, those who died in the military, and victims of Sept. 11, 2001.

Jackson said they will not list the name of the victims of 9-11, but they will honor the victims of that day. "There are so many people who have moved here from the New York/Pennsylvania area who were touched by 9-11 or may have lost loved ones, so we feel it is appropriate to have a place for them to come."

Two recent deaths in local law enforcement will be honored at Heroes Park said Jackson. Florida Highway Patrol Officer Darryl Haywood died in October 2004 in Volusia County, and Deputy Chuck Sease of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office died July 5, 2003.

Haywood was a former New York City Police officer with 20 years of service. He was working for the Highway Patrol out of Volusia County when he was attempting to overtake a speeding motorcycle and died because of a traffic crash. He was 50.

"It is very important to recognize and honor those law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the citizens of the state of Florida," said Lt. Bill Leeper, Florida Highway Patrol.

Sease, 36, was killed in the line of duty as he attempted to stop a fleeing suspect. Sease was a six-year veteran of the Waterbury, Conn., Police Department, and was in his second month of in-field officer training with the Flagler County Sheriff's Department.

"We appreciate that the community and the city of Palm Coast have chosen to honor the memory of our fallen heroes. We hope this park will be well visited. The park will serve as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that has been made for the community on behalf of our fallen heroes," said Chief Deputy Rick Look.

The idea for the park began with Palm Coast Mayor James Canfield -- the funding from local developer, Bhagwan Asnani. Asnani donated $125,000 for the development of the park.

"The world is free because of these heroes and I have such a great appreciation for what these heroes do for us. This is my way to show that appreciation for all of us to enjoy," said Asnani.

Ground will be broken on the park in about two months. The parks department hopes the construction will take no more than 90 days once it has begun.

"We are trying to build on the idea and make this park something our community can be proud of for years to come," said Jackson.