News : Vinton Parks & Rec Renovates Veterans Park

VPRD is making improvements to Veterans Park, watch for new displays and a new bridge

Forms are placed in the ground waiting for cement

The bridge will also be replaced

Director of the Vinton Parks and Recreation Department, Matt Boggess has had a project on the back burner of his mind for a long time. He said for the last four or five years he's been tossing around ideas for ways that he could improve the Veterans Park in Vinton.

Using some of those ideas, the department has begun to renovate the park. There will be a new bridge replacing the old one, as well as new displays holding the names of area veterans. Currently, the names of area veterans are underfoot on engraved bricks in the ground, With the flooding that Vinton has occasionally, the winter weather and the foot traffic, the bricks have begun to shift.

Boggess came up with a plan that was inspired by the 9/11 memorial in New York City. The new displays that the department is having installed will hold name plaques for each veteran who had a brick. Alongside the plaque, there will also be a place for a flower and a flag to be inserted next to each name plaque. Families will be welcome to fly an American flag, a POW flag or a flag representing the military branch next to the veteran's name during the holidays. 

Each of the display boards can hold up to 63 names and plans are included for the park to add more displays as they are needed. 

If your veteran is not now currently represented in the park, you can add them. The cost to add a name is $50. Simply contact the Vinton Parks and Recreation department to have them included.

Currently, the park has around 150 names that will be replaced. If you previously bought a brick for a loved one, their name will automatically be included on the displays. If you would like to keep the original engraved brick that is now at the park, just contact Vinton Parks and Recreation, let them know and they will keep the brick for you to pick up!

Watch the park as it changes and improves for our veterans!

Click the link for Vinton Parks and Recreation Department's Facebook page to find the contact information!