NORWICH - County officials are eyeing East Park as the likely location for a new memorial honoring the Purple Heart recipients of Chenango County.

Joseph Coe, Chenango County veterans’ services officer, pitched the idea to the county’s ag, buildings and grounds committee last month, saying that East Park would be the perfect location because of its lighting, position of the American flag, and high volume of foot traffic.

The memorial is follow-up to a proclamation passed by the county board in May declaring Chenango County as a veterans’ service county. The designation is part of a larger effort to have New York recognized as a Purple Heart state.

“Going forward, we’re looking to have [the memorial] presented in May, Memorial Day, of 2022,” said Coe, adding his original plan to have it presented by Veterans’ Day this year isn’t feasible because of timing and availability of materials.