Veterans Park

Veterans Park, located at 608 West Lake Street along the Tawas River, was established in 2009.  It is adjacent to City Hall, providing additional parking, a boardwalk along the river for fishing, and access to launch a canoe or kayak.  In 2024 the City of Tawas City installed kayak rental lockers.  There is a non-motorized watercraft launch at this location that will allow you to paddle in Tawas River.

Veterans Park is a memorial park dedicated to Veterans who have defended the freedoms we all hold so dear, and to the memories of family and friends who have given their lives in service to our great Country.

The Iosco County Veterans Recognition Plaza features black granite memorials. The “War Dead Memorial” was installed in 2012, and represents Veterans who lost their lives while defending our freedom.  In 2018, three black granite walls were installed as the “Honor Roll of Iosco County Veterans Memorial”. The memorial honors the men and women who entered the service from Iosco County. Each wall contains approximately 600 veteran names. In 2022 a fourth granite wall was installed. The park also contains a plaque for Peter Lemon who was a Tawas Area Graduate who received the Congressional Medal of Honor, two Bronze Star Medals, two Air Medals, a Purple Heart and an Army Commendation Medal.  Friends and families have also purchased memorial benches that have been placed in various locations in the park.  Personalized brick pavers in honor of Veterans make up the “Walk of Honor” which was stared in 2014.

For a list of Veterans located in the Veterans Recognition Plaza click here.

Information and the order form to purchase a brick paver is available here and may be returned to City Hall.

The park is a frequent visiting place for remembering those who served and supporting the military.  Services are held at the park each year on Memorial Day and National POW/MIA Day by the American Legion Post 211.  To reserve the park please fill out the Veterans Park Reservation form here and return to City Hall.

The following devoted their time for research, planning, and development of the Iosco County Veterans Recognition Plaza.  We thank them for their inspiring dedication to honor and thank the Veterans of Iosco County: John Bolen, Ed Davidson*, Kelly Frank, Dennis Frank*, Patti Greenan, Jan Groff, Cary Hilbert*, Mike Horning*, Neil Mochty*, Thomas Musolf, Bob Otis, Ed Phillips*, Bob Price*, Al Sherman*, Naomi Stonehouse, Sue Weber, Sandy Whitford, Bill Whitford*,and Lynette Wood. (*Veterans)

 Park Features:

• Off-street parking
• Boardwalk
• Shore/pier fishing
• Canoe/kayak launch
• “War Dead” Memorial
• “Walk of Honor”
• “Honor Walls”