Sheard Park
Sheard Park (LOCATION) is named after William Sheard of Holyoke who died in 1944 in Germany during WW2. This was the last remnant of Elmwood Park. The steps lead into the park. It was renamed Sheard Park when that park was removed by the interstate in 1980. There is a rock with a plaque at the eastern corner of the park. His FINDAGRAVE page.
The William J Sheard Memorial Playground was made in 1961 as a playground and in 1962 officially dedicated to him. The park before that was called Poor Park. This Poor Park and then Sheard Playground was at the area now bordered by the end of the interstate and the parallel streets Maple and High. For safety, the area was enclosed by a fence.
Proud to find Sheard park and a legacy to the Sheard family. My name is Clifford Sheard and am nephew to William Sheard and Son of George Sheard, Williams older brother.
Thanks for writing in. I had a tour there once about 6 years ago. I pronounced the word “Sheard” as if it had two syllables but a woman on the tour stated that the name is with only one syllable. Can you tell me which is right? I read about William Sheard and what he did for the nation in WW2.