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The K9 & Equine Memorial Plaza
About the Plaza
The K9 & Equine Plaza pays tribute to the horses and K9s who have died while performing their duties as service animals within the Chicago Police Department.
“The horses of CPD’s mounted unit and the dogs that make up the K9 Unit are critical to helping Chicago Police officers deliver on their mission to keep Chicago safe,” said Chicago Police Memorial Foundation executive director Phil Cline. “They help officers with crowd control and serve a critical role in helping officers with drug interdiction and terrorism readiness. It’s only fitting that we pay tribute to equines and dogs who died in service to our city. That’s what the new K9 & Equine Plaza will do.”
The new space is located just north of the water wall at Gold Star Families Memorial and Park just east of Soldier Field.
DEDICATION
At an unveiling ceremony on October 11, 2023, the CPMF dedicated the plaza at Gold Star Families Memorial & Park that pays tribute to Chicago Police horses and dogs who died while serving on behalf of the Chicago Police Department. The K9 & Equine Plaza recognizes eight K9s and three horses who have died while performing their duties as service animals. When we announced this effort four years ago, we received a jumpstart when Don Levin of the Chicago Wolves hockey team kicked in $50,000 to get this project moving. We are also thankful for the support that Exelon, Motorola, Wintrust and the Chicago Patrolmen’s Credit Union provide. This was a stand-alone fundraising initiative, wholly separate from our ongoing fundraising efforts, meaning those who make general donations to our Foundation are supporting Chicago Police officers and the Gold Star Families. Those interested in supporting this specific effort, however, have done so through individual donations and purchasing bricks that line ground at this plaza. Thank you to everyone involved in this beautiful tribute, including our donors and staff, the City Park District, the landscape team and the artists @rotblattamrany who have taken so much time to understand the bond that exists between a police officer and his or her service animal.
ARCHITECTURAL RENDERINGS
