There is a fight brewing in Utica over the name of a park.
City Council members voted to name the park The Jacqueline K. Noonan Riverwalk Park last year, but now that a veterans memorial has been moved there some want it renamed the Veterans Memorial Park.
The park is located off Davis Drive and Auburn Road. It is by trails along the Clinton River for biking and hiking.
The chairman of the Downtown Development Authority at the time of the council vote to name the park after the former mayor was Joseph Mayernik, the owner of Shamrock Irish Pub. He spoke to council members before the vote, suggesting they honor Noonan.
“She has been a mayor for 28 years, served the community for over 30. She is the reason this downtown exists,” said Mayernik.
Over the summer there was a rededication for the veterans memorial after it was moved to the park. The memorial lists the names of those who graduated from Utica High and were killed in action.
“It becomes a memorial park,” said Phil Randazzo, a veteran. “If you don’t want it to become a memorial park keep the KIAs and the memorial off of it.”
Randazzo asked that the park be renamed Veterans Memorial Park. The decorated veteran fought heroically in Vietnam. His platoon was nearly wiped out. He says when he looks at the memorial it is personal.
“I see the battles that they fought,” said Randazzo.
Randazzo says it is disrespectful to put any civilian’s name over the park where the memorial is. He also says it should not be used for recreation. It should be treated as hallowed ground.
Others like Mayernick want to honor veterans, but still use a park named after a long time public servant for community events and recreation.
“It is about respecting everyone, not only veterans, but also Noonan who has served this state and community honorable. It doesn’t have to be a contradiction,” said Mayernik.
