Digger putting in a trench line while a worker shovels below at Memorial Park during the development of the area circa 1953.
Formerly a ballast pit owned by New Zealand Railways, the Memorial Park area was developed as a recreational area from 1938 until 1954. Renamed Fitzroy Park, the eastern end of the park was beautified after being sold to the Palmerston North City Council, with the western side of the park being developed after WWII to commemorate those who served overseas. The entire area was renamed Memorial Park after an official opening on 3 December 1954.