The All Sappers' Memorial Park was conceived and its construction supervised by Lieutenant-Colonel Coulson Norman Mitchell, VC, MC Commander Camp Chilliwack. It was dedicated on 14 July 1946 by Canada’s Governor General after a year of design and intense labour by Sappers, for Sappers everywhere.
After the closure of Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack in 1998, the Department of National Defence retained ownership of All Sappers' Memorial Park and the cenotaph. Canada Lands Company had the responsibility of disposing of the Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack properties and wished, at the same time, to preserve the military heritage of the area. Their proposal was to not disturb the cenotaph, to increase the land area, to beautify the grounds, and to respect the soil where ashes have been spread. Canada Lands Company worked closely with Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack Historical Society and Retired Sappers to revitalize and refurbish the All Sappers Memorial Park. Mr. Greg Smallenberg was selected as the designer. Among his high-profile works, he was renowned for his work at the Vimy Monument in France.
Ground was broken in June 2009 with the intention to have the restored memorial ready for rededication for Remembrance Week 2009. The construction company GEMCO was given this trust of restoration. They stripped away the concealing hedge, elevated the center island, beautified the landscape, inserted soft lighting and signage, redirected sidewalks into the site and added numerous seats to invite visitors to sit and reflect.
Relatives of Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell participated at the rededication of All Sappers' Memorial Park and Cenotaph on 7 November 2009. Mrs. Frances Bailie (Mitchell’s daughter) and her son Philip Beck and Mitchell’s great-grandson, Liam Gleeson in his cadet uniform, did Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell proudly. Mrs. Bailie’s speech held the spectators spellbound. The silence was maintained as the family laid a wreath in memory of their renowned relative.