31 Aug 2022 Community leaders turning Faulkner county park into celebration of service

By Carol Rolf

Veterans and their families will soon have a special place to gather in Conway.

Officials from the City of Conway and Faulkner County were joined by veterans and family members, as well as interested citizens, for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Veterans Plaza at Pompe Park on Aug. 1.

“Veterans Plaza is not a memorial,” Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry said. “It is a way to honor our military veterans … past, present and future. “This is all about our veterans and their families. It’s a way for us to thank them for their sacrifices.”

Surrounded by seating and walking paths, the plaza will showcase a monument featuring flags recognizing each military branch of service, prisoners of war, and those missing in action. “I envision this as a place where veterans can come and ponder … sit and remember,” said local veteran Mike Mason, who retired in December 1992 after 20 years in the military.

Castleberry said the project began about five years ago “as a conversation between me and Mike.”

Mason said he and the mayor introduced the idea for the project in 2019 on at least two occasions honoring veterans. “It was first envisioned to be located in a roundabout on Prince Street, but we learned there was too much infrastructure involved at that location so we had to choose another site,” Castleberry said.

Mason said it was his wife, Peggy, who suggested Pompe Park because it is a large open space of approximately 20 acres at 2560 Prince St., near Chick-Fil-A and the Walmart Neighborhood Market. Tucker Creek and Kinley Trail runs through the park.

Members of the Conway City Council voted to move forward with the construction project at their July 26 meeting. They accepted a bid of ^$1,562,729 from JCI Construction, Inc. of Mayflower for Phase 1 of Pompe Park, which includes everything east of Tucker Creek.

Jamie Cozzens, vice president of JCI Construction Inc., said he hopes construction on the monument will start before September. “The estimated time of completion is the summer of 2023,” Cozzens said.

Sowell Architects of Conway designed the monument. 

“We feel strongly about recognizing our veterans and their contributions to our freedom,” said Rik Sowell, president of Sowell Architects Inc. “When the mayor asked if we would be interested in contributing our services to the design of a veteran’s appreciation monument, we jumped at the opportunity. This project is long overdue and we are grateful for the opportunity to participate.

“Each branch of the armed forces, including our newest branch, Space Force, is featured with its own monument and flag arranged in a circle around the taller United States flag,” he explained. “Also, each monument has a bench located immediately in front of it for a place of rest and contemplation. Each monument consists of a large stone slab with the name of the branch cut out of a one-half-inch plate steel that is held an inch off the face of the slab. The monuments signify strength and stability, working together to support and defend our country, represented by the U.S. flag in the center.

“There is also a monument for POWs and MIAs,” Sowell said. “Our hope is that our veterans and their families sense the gratitude that we hold for their commitment and sacrifices.”

Castleberry said, “We hope the plaza, amphitheater and seating area will provide a blank canvas for future events, celebrations, and ceremonies. We also hope this investment in Pompe Park demonstrates not only our continued commitment to our parks but also building quality public spaces.”