Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Coming to Willowick

Lakefront Lodge park to host new memorial honoring fallen soldiers' families

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Willowick officials have announced plans to install a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Lakefront Lodge park later this year. The project was spearheaded by local high school student Owen Engle, who was inspired to bring a similar memorial to his hometown after visiting one in his father's hometown of Wapakoneta, Ohio. The new monument will honor the four Gold Star Families from Willowick and the surrounding area who have lost immediate family members in military service.

Why it matters

The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument will provide a dedicated space in Willowick to recognize and honor the sacrifices made by local military families. As one of the few such memorials in the region, it represents an important community effort to support those who have lost loved ones in service to their country.

The details

The memorial will be located in Lakefront Lodge park, where a house was previously torn down, providing an ideal private and peaceful setting. As part of the project, the city will construct a new paved parking lot, while Lake Metroparks will build a picnic shelter, restrooms, and make other improvements to the park. Some trees will need to be removed to accommodate the memorial.

  • The memorial is scheduled to be completed and dedicated on September 27, 2026.
  • Construction on the new parking lot is expected to begin next month, with the goal of having it finished by the dedication date.

The players

Owen Engle

An Eastlake North High School student who spearheaded the effort to bring a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument to Willowick after being inspired by a similar memorial in his father's hometown.

Michael Vanni

The mayor of Willowick, who has worked with Engle and city officials to set a completion date for the memorial and coordinate the park improvements with Lake Metroparks.

Lake Metroparks

The regional park system that will continue to use and maintain Lakefront Lodge park, as well as construct new amenities like a picnic shelter and restrooms as part of the agreement with the city.

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What they’re saying

“We are moving along with the parking lot and feel we can go to bid next month. We wanted to be realistic and think that the lot should be done by then. It will be very exciting.”

— Michael Vanni, Mayor of Willowick (The News-Herald)

“We were able to locate one of the Willowick Gold Star Family members. We do have two other families from the surrounding area — Willoughby and Wickliffe. The foundation requires that on our committee, we need to have at least one. We'll have two, so that is great for us.”

— Owen Engle (The News-Herald)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument will provide an important community space in Willowick to honor and remember the sacrifices made by local military families, representing a meaningful effort to support those who have lost loved ones in service to their country.