Overwhelming Community Support for the Revitalization of Draper Memorial Park Ensures Fundraising Goal Exceeded.
Donation Opportunity Extended to Veterans Day, November 11.
The initial phase of fundraising for the revitalization of Draper Memorial Park launched by the Town of Milford and MassDevelopment ended at midnight on October 15. The Milford War Memorial Revitalization Committee, who has spearheaded the fundraising efforts, is thrilled to announce that donations from 158 patrons helped the committee exceed its goal of $42,500 by nearly $5,000. The first $42,500 of the $47,230 raised is being matched dollar for dollar by MassDevelopment, awarding this vital community project a total of almost $90,000.
The success of this fundraising effort demonstrates that the revitalization of Draper Park truly resonates with all members of the community. This critical funding will guarantee we can continue moving forward with the planned repairs and enhancements, which will not only provide a much-needed facelift, but will also provide a safe and enjoyable space for the community to congregate and celebrate community occasions. We also anticipate that this extensive work will contribute to the overall revitalization
of the downtown Milford district.
War Memorial Revitalization Committee Chairman Peter Scandone
Because the community support has been so tremendous, the committee, in collaboration with the Town and MassDevelopment, is extending the opportunity to donate to Veterans Day, November 11. Although funds raised beyond the initial $42,500 goal will not be matched, these additional funds will create a buffer to ensure that all projects planned for the revitalization can be completed. The committee hopes to raise a total of $55,000.
Additional funds raised from the community will help us offset any unexpected increases that have arisen in the two years since this project was first planned, as well as accommodate the increases to the original scope of the project.
We want to make certain that all plans for this town park—repairs to the General Draper statue and brick pathways, and the installation of new lighting, landscaping, irrigation, and seating—are completed.
Parks and Recreation Administrator James Asam
Many of the donations were made by individuals and families in amounts ranging from $10 to $1,000. Local civic groups and businesses also contributed. Among the civic organizations that have donated are Celebrate Milford, the Milford Lions Club (in memory of David Ferreira), Citizens for Milford (in memory of Steven J. Trettel), the Greenleaf Garden Club, the Hopedale Foundation, American Legion Auxiliary Sgt. John W. Powers Unit 59, Sgt. John W. Powers Post 59 of the American Legion, and the Lawrence J. Heron Chapter 6 of Disabled American Veterans. Business donors include Dewey Pest and Wildlife, Consigli Construction, Milford Federal Bank, Ciccone Plumbing, Watson Colonial Funeral Home, Buma Sargeant Funeral Home Inc, Bella Caprice Salon, Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, Emerald Irrigation, Afonso Real Estate, and Rockland Trust. A complete list of all donors is available at Patronicity.com/milford.
Donations can continue to be made online by visiting Patronicity.com/milford until 11:45 p.m. on November 11, 2020. Individuals or businesses who prefer to write a check can do so by writing it to “Town of Milford” and writing “Draper Park Revitalization” in the memo. Checks should be mailed to the Treasurer’s office at Milford Town Hall, 52 Main Street, Milford, Massachusetts 01757. Donors can also drop off checks in one of the two drop boxes located outside Town Hall.
All donations made to the Draper Park revitalization project are tax deductible. Donors are encouraged to submit matching gift forms with their employers as applicable.
Donors may choose to have their names listed on the Patronicity website or to remain anonymous.
Large donations will be appropriately recognized at a future date.
About Draper Memorial Park
Draper Memorial Park occupies a triangle of land in the downtown Milford area, located at the intersection of Congress Street and Main Street. The park features monuments that list the names of veterans who served, as well as those who gave their lives, during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The park also includes a listing of Milford veterans who served in the Gulf War.
Standing tall in the park is the equestrian statue of General William Franklin Draper. Sculptor Daniel Chester French created the statue in 1912 in collaboration with architect Henry Bacon, who designed the granite pedestal on which the statue stands, as well as the park landscape. French and Bacon partnered again on the iconic Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Other monuments in Draper Memorial Park include the Powers boulder, which features a memorial plaque for Sergeant John W. Powers (a Milford veteran killed in World War I), and the historic Milford milestone, dated 1773, which marked the distance from Milford to Boston.
The care and management of Draper Memorial Park falls under the authority of the Milford Parks Commission and Milford Veterans Services.
Veterans Day Ceremony in front of the WW I monument in Draper Memorial Park, November 2019.
About the War Memorial Revitalization Committee
The War Memorial Revitalization Committee (WMRC) is an Ad Hoc committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Its two-fold mission is to assist the Parks Department in the repair and revitalization of Draper Memorial Park and Calzone Memorial Park and to establish an ongoing maintenance plan that ensures the continued longevity of the parks and their structures for generations to come.
About MassDevelopment
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth. Through these collaborations we help create jobs, increase the number of housing units, revitalize urban environments, and address factors limiting economic growth including transportation, energy, and infrastructure deficiencies.
The Milford War Memorial Revitalization Committee (WMRC), an Ad Hoc committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen to assist the Parks Department in the repair and revitalization of Milford’s war memorial parks, is asking area citizens, organizations, and businesses to donate to the community rejuvenation of Draper Memorial Park. ALL donation amounts—no matter how small or large—will be matched dollar for dollar by MassDevelopment up to $42,500.
WMRC Chairman Peter Scandone states, “We decided that Draper Park needed a total renovation—from the top of the trees right down below the ground to the irrigation system. We kindly ask for everyone in Milford to consider making a donation to help us restore and maintain Draper Park as a place of respect and pride for all future generations.”
Citizens for Milford will be hosting a series of four Candidate Forums—one for each of the contested races—beginning the last week of April. Each of the forums will be conducted using the video conferencing software ZOOM and will be live streamed on Milford TV and its other platforms.
Citizens for Milford is postponing the installation of the Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags this year in an abundance of caution to safeguard our volunteers and citizens. The first installation had been planned for Memorial Day. The group is hopeful that this public health crisis will have eased by early July so that the Field of Flags will fly for Independence Day. However, even the July date is not guaranteed, and that possibility will be reassessed in June.
Citizens for Milford is continuing its partnership with the Milford Corps of the Salvation Army to expand the Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags, a tribute acknowledging the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active military personnel with a display of American flags placed in Draper Memorial Park on five patriotic holidays each year. The first display of this year is planned for May 20 in time for Memorial Day.
To sponsor a flag for the Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags project,
Draper Memorial Park occupies a triangle of land in the downtown Milford area, located at the intersection of Congress Street and Main Street. The park features monuments that list the names of veterans who served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Standing tall in the park is the statue of General William Franklin Draper by sculptor Daniel Chester French, whose work also includes the massive marble statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. 
In the meantime, voters can read candidate profiles and other pertinent information on the 
The Town of Milford is closely monitoring the current public health situation including the Corona virus. There is no current expectation that the April 7th Annual Town Election will be cancelled or rescheduled. 
Citizens for Milford invites all Milford residents to attend its seventh annual Candidates Forum, which will feature candidates in Milford’s upcoming town election. The Candidates Forum will be held Thursday, March 19 in the Parish Hall of Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Milford. Candidates will be available to meet voters starting at 6:30 p.m. The forum will start at 7:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.