Pictured is a rendering of a proposed amphitheater in Memorial Park.

An American Legion post in Brocton has criticized the proposed construction of an amphitheater in Dunkirk’s Memorial Park.

The John W. Dill Post 434 sent a letter to the city Common Council stating that its officers and members of the club “strongly oppose the construction of an amphitheater on these sacred grounds.” The letter is in the agenda packet for this week’s council meeting.

Signed by post Commander Mattie McIntyre and Adjutant Stanley Kawski, the letter also states, “To infringe on this area would be disrespectful to those who selflessly gave their lives to protect our country and its freedom.”

Memorial Park contains monuments honoring Dunkirk residents killed in action. It has also hosted concerts and other events in recent summers, a few yards from the monuments.

The proposed amphitheater was a suggestion that made it into a local steering committee’s list of preferred uses for Dunkirk’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award from New York State. The state’s final decision on what projects will get the grant money is expected in the next few weeks.