Milwaukee City Wire

Grede Park is slated to be home to a permanent memorial site where six people were killed and at least 60 others were injured four months ago at the Waukesha Christmas Parade.

The Parade Memorial Commission made the determination after reviewing several locations, according to a WISN report. The commission said that the site will serve to honor those impacted and offer a space to heal and reflect.

"I think Grede Park is going to be amazing," Tamára Rosentreter, who was injured in the parade while performing with the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, told WISN.  "There's so much open space. We're able to kind of structure it to formulate what we need in Waukesha."

Located on Riverwalk Drive off Wisconsin Avenue near downtown, Grede Park is owned by the city, and authorities said the area leading up to the bridge will now be available for design, according to the report.   

"I think Grede Park gives us a very nice slate for being creative," Lori Loche, a parade survivor said.

Even before city officials settled on Grede Park, community members had started a memorial across the way at Veteran’s Park, WISN reported. Authorities said those items are now preserved in the Waukesha County Historical Society.

With the question of a permanent location site for the memorial finally answered, commission members will now turn their attention to what’s to be included in the tribute, how it will be funded and who they will turn to as chief designer, according to WISN.

While the staff is planning to ask designers for ideas, they’re also hoping to keep the community engaged, with more details about the project set to be shared at the next meeting, WISN reported.

Among the initial elements commission members are known to be considering are gardens, benches, lights, and a memorial structure, the report stated.