Memorial Park was built in 1919, soon after World War I was finished. From the history books I researched, it stated that Memorial Park “is believed to be the second park in the United States dedicated to the dead and surviving soldiers of that war. The first was built in Baltimore, Maryland.”

The idea behind the creation of the park likely came from a writing project at Payson High School. Teacher, Melvin Wilson, asked his students to write about possibilities for the area. Two students, Thelma Erlandson and Jennie Reece, wrote the same subject and suggested a city park be built on the site.

The Mayor at the time was Henry Erlandson, Thelma’s father, and he discussed it with members of the city council. From their discussions, Prof. Emil Hansen was assigned to design and supervise the construction of the park. Hansen was a landscape architect and horticulturist at the Utah State Agricultural College in Logan.

Plans for the park included preserving many of the stately trees, bordering the pond with grasses, for curved walks and lawns.

New trees were planted at the park area by a World War I soldier or his family. Much of the construction labor at the park was done by returned service men in need of employment.

Two spruce trees were planted at the park and were given special places of honor. They were planted by Captain A.L Curtis and Captain L.D. Stewart who held high army ranks.

Trees were also planted by Mayor Erlandson and city council members, Earl McCormick, Robert L. Wilson, David N. Taylor, David H. Sargent and John Done; Emil Hansen; Henry Drissell, gardener; Enos W. Simons, city recorder; Elizabeth A. Crook, city treasurer; and Justin A. Loveless, civic and church leader;

2000 people gathered at Memorial Park for the dedication on May 1, 1920 with Henry Erlandson, presiding.

A special map/key was made which listed the location of each tree and a corresponding number which identified which soldier or family planted the tree. Information was also listed as to the person’s position and whether they were wounded or killed in action.

I armed myself with my map and took my youngest with me to Memorial Park on Monday, Sept. 13.

We wandered through the park identifying which trees were representative of which person. Some of the trees are gone due to construction and other elements. New trees have been planted to take their place. After learning all this information about the history of these trees and Memorial Park, I won’t be able to visit again without thinking of the many veterans who were true patriots and served their country for our freedoms.

(Information about Memorial Park obtained from ‘Peteetneet Town A History of Payson, Utah’ by Madoline Cloward Dixon.)