Adams County Veterans Memorial

The Adams County Veterans Memorial at Riverdale Regional Park is a dynamic and vibrant civic hub, dedicated on Memorial Day 2023 as a place for families to share stories of veterans and their military service. The memorial’s strategic placement along Mann-Nyholt Lake maximizes visual impact, allowing visitors to engage with both the serene natural landscape and the powerful symbolism of the design. Inspired by the USS Colorado Battleship, the site pays homage to our nation’s history and symbolizes the unity of all branches of the military, creating a cohesive narrative of service and sacrifice. The memorial extends boldly into the lake and artfully weaves elements of the battleship throughout the site. Dedicated areas prominently display the emblems of each branch, celebrating their unique identities while emphasizing their collective role in protecting the freedoms of our country. Atop the memorial, a kingfisher airplane represents airborne veterans and their contributions to the nation’s defense.

The memorial was designed as a journey from the moment it is visible from the County Road and welcomes visitors with flags, framed views of the battleship, signage and interpretive elements to invite exploration. Visitors experience moments of discovery, where new elements are hidden and revealed around every bend. This intentional approach engages visitors in an interactive experience, fostering a deeper connection to the memorial and the stories it represents.

Role

As the lead visionaries, the landscape architect played a crucial role in bringing the memorial to life. We managed and led all aspects of the design, collaborating closely with civil, structural, and lighting engineers and maintaining hands-on coordination with the contractor. Our involvement encompassed everything from vision development, material selection and construction methods to the sculptural elements and the construction of the story wall. We worked closely with the Veterans Advisory Committee, County Commissioners, and local veterans to ensure that the design authentically reflects the experiences and contributions of these veterans. Our attention to detail ensured that every aspect of the memorial, from the materials selected to the final installation, resonated deeply with veterans and their families, creating a space of genuine reflection and remembrance.

Special Factors

Telling the Story: The curved concrete Story Wall collage tells the veterans’ stories, crafted from photographs contributed by local veterans themselves. A new, technologically advanced form liner transforms the 34’ x 7’ wall into a true interactive experience. Instead of relying on staining techniques, the design employs a new technology in concrete that used a CNC stenciled formliner to create “ribs” mere fractions of millimeters wide. Their varying depths create a mesmerizing 3D illusion of grayscale photographs, letters home, and telegrams. As visitors walk around the wall, the images gradually reveal men, women, families and service animals from enlistment to training, deployment to battle, and return home or the end of service. The story wall’s interactive experience captures the depth of Adams County veterans’ journeys, encouraging visitors to connect with the emotional landscape of service through tactile and visual storytelling.

Geometry of Shapes: Geometric shapes are intricately woven throughout the memorial, supporting visual interest and symbolism. Decorative concrete paving resembles wooden planks on a ship, railings zigzag, and seating conforms to the shape of each dynamic space, all reflecting elements of the USS Colorado Battleship. By integrating geometric elements inspired by the USS Colorado at each elevation, the design subtly incorporates military precision and order, reinforcing the memorial’s thematic coherence.

Sequential Immersion: The memorial offers a multilevel experience that unfolds as visitors explore the site. The carefully curated sequence of views and spaces within the memorial immerses visitors in a narrative journey, where each step reveals new layers of meaning and connection to the veterans’ experiences. On arrival, the site’s strategic views of the battleship, create a sense of anticipation. On the bow, people forget they are standing on a concrete structure and feel like they are on a real vessel gazing across the water to Longs Peak. Seating and accessibility were given paramount consideration in the design of the memorial, incorporating Americans with Disabilities Act standards, ensuring each level and area of the site is accessible to veterans of all abilities. This commitment to accessibility ensures that every visitor can fully engage with and appreciate every aspect of the memorial’s significance.

Hardscape + Natural Elements: The integration of carefully selected plantings softens the hardscape, adding beauty and reinforcing the connection between the memorial and its natural surroundings bringing harmony and creating a feeling of permanence between the hardscape and the plantings. Artful metal switchgrasses flow through the space creating a sense of blowing winds and seas. Perennials bring forth seasonal colors as plants were selected based on blooming seasons for year-round interest. To ensure the preservation and functionality of the memorial during winter months, a bubbler system was designed around the bow to help prevent the formation of ice around the concrete and steel elements.

Multi-Generational Appeal: The memorial’s design encompasses generational appeal, catering to the diverse interests of visitors of all ages. While children find joy and engage in spirited activities as if the memorial were an actual play structure, older generations witness the happiness and freedom that veterans fight to protect.

Environmental Sensitivity/Sustainability

The landscape architects prioritized environmental sensitivity throughout the project. Shoreline stabilization techniques were employed to protect the lake’s ecosystem, while sheet piling was used during construction to minimize erosion and disturbance of the lake. The memorial’s installation within the existing natural landscape showcased a thoughtful approach to environmental preservation. Any evening of the summer, you can find families biking, fishing, and birdwatching all around the lake. Numerous fish species, raptors, osprey, bald eagles, and cormorants are abundant. Native plantings were utilized to enhance biodiversity and create a harmonious integration of the memorial with the surrounding landscape. A water quality pond was designed to treat stormwater as it drains off the parking lot to clean the water prior to entering the lake.

Innovative environmental strategies, such as the winter bubbler system, demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to maintaining the memorial’s integrity and accessibility year-round. By circulating water around key structural elements of the memorial within the lake, the bubbler system prevents the formation of ice, which can cause damage to both concrete and steel. This helps maintain the integrity of the memorial during harsh winter months. Traditional de-icing methods can introduce harmful chemicals into the water, whereas a bubbler system uses mechanical means to achieve the same effect without environmental contamination, aligning with environmental conservation goals.

Significance

The Adams County Veterans Memorial is a testament to the valor and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, as a physical embodiment of gratitude, remembrance, and national identity. The space offers a multi-sensory experience that deeply resonates with visitors and fosters a profound sense of connection and gratitude. Through careful integration with the natural beauty of the lake and thoughtful collaboration with the local veteran community, a sacred haven emerged. From the innovative use of the carved ribs on the story wall to the seamless blending of hardscape and planting, every element has been carefully curated to create a deeply moving and immersive experience. This memorial not only serves as a place of collective remembrance and celebration but also provides a platform for veterans and their families to share their stories, fostering healing and connection.

Designing memorials requires meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of historical context. The process involved extensive research, collaboration between landscape architects, artists, historians, and community representatives. Symbolic elements, careful placement, and an atmosphere of reflection are crucial in creating a reverent experience. The Adams County Veterans Memorial’s innovative blend of historical reverence and contemporary design elements sets it apart as a landmark of national significance and local pride, honoring our heroes and commemorating their fight for what they hold dear.