Empty field behind veterans home now a park

NORFOLK, Neb. (AP) What once was a field of grass is now a field of dreams.

The former empty space behind the Norfolk Veterans Home has been transformed into Heroes Park, where veterans and their families and friends can enjoy the outdoors.

The 8-acre park has received high marks from veterans and their families, said Jenny Last of Norfolk. She serves on the Heroes Park Foundation board, which raised the $2.8 million needed to construct park.

"I love to read those thank-you notes," she said "It means so much."

The effort began more than six years ago. It was sparked by Duane Hodge, former administrator of the home, who suggested it might be nice to have a memory garden.

The foundation board expanded on that idea to help fulfill the need for a larger space for events at the home. Up until recently, gatherings were held in the activity room, which can't accommodate many people.

Now those events can be held under the park's pavilion, where between 400 and 500 people can be seated in chairs, said Deb Becker, a veterans home employee who has worked with the project since it began.

The park and the pavilion were the site, for example, of the opening ceremonies for the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans reunion in August, which was attended by around 450 people.

The park also was used for the home's Fourth of July celebration, Becker said.

At that event, children played on the playground equipment, shot baskets on the basketball court and entertained themselves while waiting for the fireworks show to begin, she added.

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Empty field behind veterans home now a park