Not to be confused with Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission (SHPMC) planning, one resident has his own independent ideas for a permanent memorial to honor those who were killed on 12/14. Making his plans known to various town boards, most recently the Parks and Recreation Commission on Tuesday, June 14, Richmond Jones introduced himself and his concepts to members.The New York Times.SHPMC Response

With posters revealing a marathon track or path in the shape of a peace symbol that would be "visible from the air," Mr Jones referred to the images before the commission, saying he wanted to "talk about my vision."

Regarding the recreation commission's role in a permanent memorial, Chairman Ed Marks explained that they have an interest as far as how a memorial design could interact with existing trails if it is located at Fairfield Hills.

Mr Richmond told recreation members that he thought "almost immediately of creating a memorial with an antidote to violence: peace."

His "very flexible" plan as a memorial park could be incorporated with the existing trails system, he said. Mr Jones told recreations members, "A memorial should be active," and a living place serving as a remembrance and "drawing the community together."

His vision includes planting 26 trees around the peace sign's circumference. He also envisions a facility "to teach children theater, dance, art, music and other cultural enrichment." He said his memorial design would be "a landscape to last going forward generations." He described plinths to stand on opposite sides of the circular track for the sun to pass through, and wants to create those from "melted guns."

He said, "This is a tentative plan; I was terribly moved by shootings and this came out of it."

Mr Jones was also involved with designing "a piece for the 9/11 Memorial Museum," he said. He has a background in political cartooning and photographs and his work has appeared in publications including

Recreation members then commented on Mr Jones's plan, and its aspects that they favored.

According to the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission Chairman Kyle Lyddy, Mr Jones has not officially submitted his plan to that commission, which has "not opened up to submissions at this time," Mr Lyddy said, nor has the commission endorsed any plans.

He has seen Mr Jones's plan and feels "there is no shortage of creativity" in the ideas. Mr Lyddy said the SHPMC "is working through specific guidelines for individuals to submit memorial ideas," adding, "Once completed, we will reopen the submission process inclusive of those who have already submitted ideas."

The SHPMC has "strategically made the decision that a location needs to come first," Mr Lyddy said.

The commission had focused on a preferred location at the High Meadow - a designated open space - in Fairfield Hills. However, conflict over using the open space has caused the commission to continue its location search.

"We have tabled the High Meadow as our location of choice as we deliberate and search with the town on alternate locations," Mr Lyddy said.

Once a location is determined, "We will add those specifics to the guidelines" for submissions, he said.

Mr Jones's drawings site his memorial park concept on the High Meadow.