“For more than 100 years, West Siders have gathered at Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park each Memorial Day to declare our reverence for all who served and fell. Thank you Mayor Eric Adams for allocating $62.3M to restore one of the City’s most beautiful landmarks. It is 100 feet tall, was last renovated in 1962, and has been fenced off since 2017 to protect people from the cracked and crumbling stone. It not ADA accessible—a terrible message to our wounded veterans that we are finally able to correct. The 120-year-old monument was built to honor Union Army soldiers who fought against slavery in the Civil War and brings together veterans and civilians to remember all those who have died serving this country. The future of this memorial is bright. Restored to its former glory, it will again speak of our memory of war and the dream of peace.” — Gale A. Brewer, January 13, 2023
The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park honors New Yorkers who fought for the Union during the Civil War and is included on the National Register. The Monument was dedicated on Memorial Day of 1902 and its last comprehensive restoration was in 1962.
Council Member Brewer has been a leading local advocate for another restoration of the monument, estimated by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to cost between $37 and $54 million.
Council Member Brewer is circulating a petition asking the City to fund, restore, and maintain the Monument.
Our servicemen and women, our citizens, and our City deserve better. The time to act is now. Will you help by signing my petition urging the City to fund the desperately-needed repairs?
Link to petition: https://bit.ly/3lXEGvp
