Kato Line Memorial Park
As a reminder of the Yashiro Line, the Kato Line Memorial Park is located in Suzaka City. (The English name on the explanation board at the site is “Memorial Park KATOSEN". )
The park was established by the Kato Line Memorial Park Management Council, which was formed by local volunteers with the participation of companies related to Suzaka City, local wards, and the city office’s community development division. (The secretariat is located in Sunjunior, a company located next to the park.)
The completion ceremony was held in October 2018, but it appears that the removal of the tracks and the installation of explanatory boards had been underway for several years prior to that.
The explanatory board describes the rules of use of the park.
There is an aerial photo taken before the Yashiro Line was discontinued, and the extent of the park was written on it.
The upper right is Suzaka station and the lower left is the Yashiro direction. (The next station is Inoue Station.)
The main line runs in a gentle curve, and there are two sidings and a building that looks like a garage on its east side.
The rails of the main line were removed, and the side lines were maintained as a park, leaving the rails in place.
The paved area in the first photo is where the main line rails used to be.
There was a car stop on the north side, so it must be a sidewalk. It seems that even this part of the sidewalk is included in the park site.
Walked along the sidewalk.
There seems to be no facilities such as restrooms.
It’s a lever that switches the point of the rail line.
There are three explanatory boards with the same information at the north, middle, and south ends of the park.
One side of the board explains the use of the park, and the reverse side explains the history of the Kato Line.
On the south side of the park is a building that looks like a garage.
This photo was taken from about the same location, moving to the sidewalk. The small pink flower in the back is the southern edge of the park. The main line used to run along this sidewalk.
This photo was taken looking north.
The white building in the distance beyond the railroad tracks is the building built on the site of the main line.
In the park, a bench can be seen at the far right. The basket-like thing in front of the bench seems to be used for illumination decorations in winter.
The wall near the bench.
A few letters are missing. These small things are bothering me. Because it gives the impression of neglect.
People were walking their dogs nearby, so the park is probably used on a regular basis.
It is also used as a venue for events at times.
There is no need to force events related to the railroad, so I think it is important for the park to continue to be used by the public.
I think it is the same for monuments and memorial parks, but once they are built, it is not the end. I often see monuments and explanatory signs that have been left unattended and damaged after they were built. Once something is built, it must be managed and maintained as needed.
The same goes for the preservation of buildings. We should not just say, “It’s a good thing it survived,” but we must continue to use it properly afterwards.
I expect this park to be well managed since the administrative office is next door.