6 designs for Waukesha parade memorial made public

By: Bill Walsh Facebook | X

Posted: Jul 19, 2022 4:39 PM CST

NOW: 6 designs for Waukesha parade memorial made public

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Six designs for a memorial to honor the people affected by the Waukesha Parade tragedy are now public. At a meeting on Tuesday, June 26 the Waukesha Parade Memorial Commission will start the process of deciding to narrow the six down to one. All six designs are listed on the commission's meeting agenda.

Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly says he hopes the commission can decide on three finalists at Tuesday's meeting.

"It will be a tough decision for the commission, I was impressed," Mayor Reilly said.

The six submissions feature a large memorial in Grede Park and a smaller memorial on Main Street. Three of the designs center on a heart, another features waves -- and the ripple effect that one event had on so many lives. One design would create a walk through a garden in the shape of the symbol for infinity, another would feature medallions inscribed with a short message from the victims' families.

"You are trying to decide something that is permanent, and it really affects a lot of people," Mayor Reilly said.

Once the finalists are narrowed down, the public will get the chance to weigh in. Melissa Baxter, President of the Waukesha County Community Foundation, hopes that the public uses their opportunity to help make this decision as part of the healing process.

"The most important thing are the community voices, and hearing what the community has to say and what they find meaningful," Baxter said.

The city hopes to choose later this summer, with construction to start next year, and a finished pair of memorials in time for the holiday season of 2023.

There is a fund with the Waukesha County Community Foundation dedicated specifically to fund the memorial. It is separate from the fund dedicated to the parade tragedy victims. Click here for more information.

Below is a look at the six submissions: