THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508060012
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE WATSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
When Caroline Shore first heard of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Trophy Park, she envisioned galleries of, well, trophies. Perhaps the place where the Navy kept all of its ribbons, awards and shiny things.
``Well, it is called Trophy Park,'' the Norfolk resident said Saturday, looking about at the maples and naval weaponry that decorate the quaint spot.
``I was pleasantly surprised.''
Trophy Park is a historic site now open to the public, 25 years after being secured by the shipyard's First Street Gate and Cold War fears.
In hopes of building community relations, the shipyard held a community band concert Saturday to allow people to lounge among 18th-century anchor moorings while listening to Berlin and Sousa.
``We've have been secretive and classified for so long, most of the community doesn't even know this park exists,'' said Capt. William R. Klemm, commander of the shipyard.
``The Norfolk Naval Shipyard has been a part of this community, as well as a part of this nation, for 228 years. We've raised a whole generation that hasn't seen the inside of the shipyard. It's a shame that they haven't seen such an important part of their heritage.''
Trophy Park sits on a portion of the original 13 acres of the shipyard's predecessor, Gosport Navy Yard.
The park was designed about 1870 and the ships' bands used to play there for the workers repairing their vessels. The gazebo has served as a platform for the shipyard's change-of-command ceremonies and an occasional Easter sunrise service.
Concerns over security after World War II kept the park pretty much off limits to most everyone except shipyard personnel and occasional tours for school kids; children had access but their parents did not.
The park was officially opened to the public when it became a stop on the Tidewater Regional Transit trolley tour of Portsmouth's Olde Towne in late May. The tour ends Labor Day weekend.
``I'm here because I enjoy the big-band sound. I know the shipyard has been here for so long but I've never heard about the park,'' said Veronica Adams, who heard about the concert through her daughter, who works at the Navy Exchange.
``But this is really nice. It's shady, it's cool, it's great.''
Over the years, Trophy Park has become a repository of artifacts from nine wars. On Saturday, parents opted for the shade of sycamores while the kids climbed missiles, cannons and an anchor from the Texas, America's first battleship.
Klemm said there will be a few more concerts before summer's end and the shipyard is making plans for next year.
``We want to maintain an open environment,'' Klemm said. ``To let our neighbors in.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MARK MITCHELL/Staff
Trophy Park was designed about 1870. Ships' bands used to play there
for workers repairing their vessels. On Saturday, visitors had a
view of the past during a community band concert.
Photo
MARK MITCHELL/Staff
Warren Roberts, 7, scales an old ship's anchor on display at Trophy
Park. The park sits on a portion of the original 13 acres of the
shipyard's predecessor, Gosport Navy Yard.
by CNB