Restoring a Name, Honoring a Legacy - Unionville Park Reclaimed as Walter Chadwick Memorial Park

The Pershing County Commission voted unanimously last week to restore the original name of Unionville Park, returning it to its 1945 designation: Walter Chadwick Memorial Park.

Commissioner Chuck Sayles led the discussion, referencing archival documents that confirmed the park’s original name dating back nearly 80 years. The move, prompted by a local request and historical evidence, was met with general agreement by the board, though not without discussion from Commissioner Connie Gottschalk.

“This isn’t going to be a big thing,” Sayles said. “We’re talking about honoring the man who donated the money that made the park possible in the first place. It was always meant to bear his name.”

According to records presented at the meeting, Walter Chadwick left a bequest that enabled the creation of the park in the mid-1940s. Over the years, however, the name shifted, and was informally known at various points as Unionville Park, Unionville Youth Camp, and other variations. As generations passed, Chadwick’s contribution faded from public memory.

Gottschalk acknowledged the need to include Unionville in the signage to preserve local recognition.

“People may not know who Walter Chadwick was,” she said, “but they know Unionville. We should honor both.”

Commissioners agreed that the new signage should reflect both the donor’s name and the park’s location. A commemorative plaque will be created, and a rock or concrete monument will be installed at the site. Sayles even volunteered to cover the cost of the plaque himself.

“I just don’t want someone 20 years from now deciding to rename it again,” Sayles said. “This should stick.”

The commission also briefly discussed how to prevent future name changes, but County Counsel noted there’s no legal mechanism to permanently restrict such decisions by future boards. The best protection, they agreed, is clear signage and community awareness.

The motion passed with no opposition to restore the original name of the park to Walter Chadwick Memorial Park, with signage to reflect both the historical designation and the Unionville name.