Memorial Park (Dunkirk)
Location: On the east end of Lake Erie; in the city of Dunkirk; town of Dunkirk; Chautauqua County; New York.
Maps: Google map; Topographic; Interactive map
GPS Coordinates: Monument/Flagpole: N 42.48708, W 79.33961
Directions: From east and west:
- Follow NY-5 to Dunkirk.
- The park is located just west of the city pier, across from Pizza Village.
Use Google Maps.
Parking: A small gravel lot on the west end of the park has room for about 10 cars. There is roadside parking along NY-5/Lakeshore Drive, on the north side of the street. There’s space for about 30 cars. During events and busy summer days it’ll fill up fast, so you may need to find roadside parking on side-streets to the south.
Weather
Information / Accessibility / Accommodations
Seasons/Hours: Open daylight hours, 7 days a week.
Admission: Free.
Best time to visit: Spring through fall.
Time: A few minutes to walk the grounds, or take it in by walking the entire lakefront from Wright Park Beach to the west through the city to the Dunkirk Lighthouse and Point Gratiot Park to the west.
Handicap accessibility: Paved paths allow for wheelchairs to pass through the park.
Pets: Pets are allowed on a leash.
Swimming: Swimming is not allowed at this location. Swim at the guarded areas or at Point Gratiot or Wright Parks.
Boat launch: There are no boat launching facilities here. If you need to launch, head east to Dunkirk City Pier or west to Barcelona Harbor. For hand launch, Point Gratiot Park or Cedar Beach are closest.
Accommodations: War memorial, walking paths, scenic views, picnic tables, summer concerts and events.
Description
Dunkirk’s Memorial Park is a small lakefront community park situated between the city pier and the water treatment plant along Lake Shore Drive. At 4.5 acres, it doesn’t offer much more than views of Lake Erie and the yacht club marina. There’s no swimming, no restrooms, and when I visited in 2013 and again in 2023, there were only a few picnic tables available to visitors. Still, the park has its charm with a small but well-constructed set of veteran and first responder memorials and well-kept gardens. The views of the lake from this vantage point are similar to those from other lakeside parks that line the city, but this location tends to be less crowded on hot days. The open lawns on each side of the central memorials allow for family games and larger events, such as small concerts and festivals, which are scheduled throughout the summer.
History
The first settler at Dunkirk harbor was Solomon Chadwick of Warren, Mass., who arrived in Dunkirk in 1809. He bought 73 acres at the harbor and built a log cabin along the shore at the foot of present Dove Street, a little east of the water works. He lived there for five or six years and then moved to the town of Sheridan and then to Perrysburg in Cattaraugus County where he died at age 87. It is from him that Dunkirk derived the name of Chadwick’s Bay.
Hiking / Walking Trails
Difficulty: Easy.
Markings: Some historical and park signage scattered throughout.
Description: If you are taking the tour, follow the guide. They know best. If you are on your own, check out all the sights on the map below.
Map: Check out the interactive map.
Dunkirk’s Memorial Park Interactive Map
Fishing
You could fish here, although be cautious of boat traffic at the marina. You can also fish at Point Gratiot Park, Cedar Beach, or the Dunkirk City Pier.
Interesting Stuff
Whispering Giant (Ong-Gwe-Ohn-Weh)
- This wooden Native American sculpture is located close by at the intersection of Pike St. and Lake Shore Dr. The carving by Hungarian-American sculptor, Peter Toth, is a part of a series of works, Trail of the Whispering Giants, meant to honor Native Americans. There are over 74 sculptures in all, spanning the 50 states and several provinces in Canada.
Bird Streets
- The streets perpendicular to the park are named after birds: Eagle Street, Pelican Street, Swan Street, Dove Street, Plover Street, Robin Street, Pike Street (which could be referring to the fish, as there is a Mullet Street to the west of it). Could Woodrow Street be a nod to the famous cartoon woodpecker?
- Early plans for the town had many of the streets named after animals (not necessarily found in the region), with birds on the west side of the city and mammals on the east side, few of which retain their original names today.
Photography Tips
Dramatic Skies
- Shoot wide and try to fit dramatic skies into scenes with the veterans memorial in the foreground.
More tips
- See the Articles and Message Board sections for more photography tips.
Nearby Waterfalls
More Lake Erie Parks & Beaches
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Who to Contact
Dunkirk Parks Department
716-366-3262