Veterans Looking for More Space at Veterans Community Park

Monday, March 4th, was a busy day for Marco City staff members and councilors. They started their deliberations with a workshop to discuss how to move forward regarding a suggested monument project proposed by the American Legion Post 404. 

That project would add to the existing memorial erected within the Veterans Community Park located on Park Avenue. The park has steadily evolved since the city purchased it in 2003 to protect green space for the residents. 

Two years after the purchase, Councilor Teri DiSciullo suggested that the undeveloped park be named Veterans Park to recognize all veterans who have served our nation. Councilor Glenn Tucker suggested a minor change to Veterans Community Park, which was adopted by the council in 2005.

In 2008, the Marco Island City Council voted to create the first Master Plan for Veterans Community Park. A citizens’ committee was appointed to work with Sarasota-based architects Kimley-Horn and their representative, James Pankonin, to develop the vision for the park. The community recognized the value of the Veterans Community Park purchase when the volunteer committee managing Christmas Island Style approached the city with the idea of moving the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to the park. Since then, other events such as concerts, the Rotary Seafood Festival and the Farmers Market found a home at the park.

In 2009, city council adopted the plan as a guideline for the layout of the park’s eventual build-out, and a corner of the park was designated for a Veterans Memorial as requested by the then VFW Post, which was located on the island. Most of the plans were put on hold due to the downturn in the economy.

During the next several years, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee continued to look at options for the park. In the meantime, the local VFW spearheaded a fundraising drive that resulted in the original Veterans Memorial being built. The memorial was dedicated on 11-11-11 as part of the Veterans Day observance. A second fundraising effort was done to provide the Freedom Fountain, which was eventually added to the park’s Veterans Memorial.

The American Legion is requesting permission to proceed with a project to have a monument constructed to honor Vietnam War Veterans put inside the park. No other conflict-specific monuments exist within the park at this time. American Legion member Terry Kehoe created a non-scaled model of the planned memorial and presented it to council. The actual monument would be made in cast-bronze, and while there were no firm figures on pricing, estimates ranged in the area of $500,000.

Former City Councilor Joseph Battee addressed the now sitting council to emotionally ask for their support in regard to their request to proceed on this project which he saw as a “healing one” for those veterans who served during the Vietnam War. The veteran’s organization was responsible for bringing the “Traveling Vietnam Wall” to the community no less than three times.

During the discussions, it was revealed that the area being requested for the monument would involve considerable expense due to underground piping and electrical which was installed when the city engaged in the final construction of the park in 2023.

Discussions will continue as city staff looks at alternatives to find a way forward. The American Legion Post committed to raising the funds should room for the new addition could be agreed upon.