Plainfield to dedicate new public safety monument on 9/11
By Lindsay Doty
Inside the Friendship Gardens Park in Plainfield, along White Lick Creek, a new public safety monument known as the Celebration of Service Plaza is complete after four years of planning and fundraising.
The 9,450 square-foot monument of red brick and limestone features the American flag and flags for the Plainfield Police Department, Plainfield Fire Territory and the Hendricks County Communications Center.
“It is very gratifying to see. A lot of people got involved in this in the community, a lot of volunteers and donations,” said Dave Weaver, a longtime Plainfield resident and retired prison educator who spearheaded the project.
He calls the plaza a place of reflection. He hopes it makes visitors think about the people who keep them safe.
“I see our plaza as just an opportunity to sit down and reflect on what these people do for them on a daily basis and hopefully deepen their appreciation for what they do,” he said.
In 2016, Weaver pitched the project to the Plainfield Town Council, and they loved it. Weaver says he came up with the idea after seeing repeated national news stories about police officers being killed. He wanted to see a monument in his hometown to honor public safety, not just memorialize them.
“It occurred to me one day that we tend to honor our public safety officials after they pass. I did not want to wait until something happens, I thought a monument like this would allow us to bring awareness to those men and women aside from a tragedy,” said Weaver.
He put together a board of passionate community members and raised $112,000 needed to build the plaza.
Support came from all over the community. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority gave a matching grant of up to $25,000. Community members donated in the form of golf outings and fundraisers. Hendricks Regional Health, Duke Energy and Hendricks Community Foundation, to name a few, all contributed.
Inmates at the Plainfield Correctional Facility contributed $3,300 toward the cause as part of a food fundraiser.
“It says a lot about the town we live in,” said Weaver.
Plainfield Town leaders will hold a public ribbon cutting on Sept. 11. Police, fire and dispatchers are invited to attend.
“This plaza is the perfect place to be where we can observe the national moment of silence together while showing our appreciation for our town’s first responders,” said Stephanie Singh, Plainfield director of communications and marketing. “This year, our public safety departments have had to conquer unprecedented times. We hope this shows support for them and really brings us all together.”
Celebration of Service Plaza Ribbon Cutting
Where: 850 S. Center St., Plainfield
When: 8-9 a.m.
Open to the public
