Construction begins this week on new National Memorial to the Fallen in Macdonald Park

Construction will begin this week on the National Memorial to the Fallen in Macdonald Park, with crews setting up on Tuesday, June 17, and initial excavation scheduled for Wednesday, June 18.

The wall is a partnership between the National Wall of Remembrance Association (NWORA) and the City of Kingston, dedicated to honouring all Canadian veterans who lost their lives during military conflicts.

“After almost 15 years of fundraising and planning, the National Wall of Remembrance Association is starting construction on the National Memorial to the Fallen with an unveiling to take place in September 2025,” says Bruce Ewing, Vice-Chair, NWORA. “This memorial is in honour of the more than 120,000 Canadians killed in service to Canada.”

In 2019, the National Wall of Remembrance Association approached the City of Kingston with a proposal to create a single place of remembrance for all of Canada’s fallen heroes.

In July 2019, City Council directed staff to work with the NWORA to develop a plan for the memorial. Council approved the plan in December 2022, and an official sod-turning ceremony took place in August 2023.

Since then, staff from numerous City departments have worked with the NWORA to advance the project. On-site activities have included an archaeological assessment, environmental soil testing and the protection of trees, as well as the necessary removal of a small number of trees to accommodate the memorial. Following City policy, these trees will be replaced at another location in the future.

Staff and the NWOR project committee considered several City-owned locations for this project and agreed that the eastern portion of Macdonald Park was the most suitable site. Macdonald Park, located in the Old Sydenham Heritage Conservation District, is a site rich in local and national history, especially pertaining to military uses and commemorations.

The monument will be formally transferred to the City upon completion of construction; funding will be provided by NWORA to support its ongoing care and maintenance as part of the City of Kingston’s Civic Collection.

Completion of the memorial is scheduled for late summer 2025.