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Vets gather to celebrate $2.5 million park expansion

Staff photo by LAURA FRAZIER

Veterans, military supporters and county officials broke ground Tuesday for a $2.5 million expansion of Veterans Memorial Park, off U.S. 301 on the banks of the Tampa Bypass Canal. The project calls for the renovation of the park's roads, trails, parking and caretaker areas and add new signage and special events bleachers.

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By LAURA FRAZIER

lfrazier@tampatrib.com

Published: November 17, 2009

TAMPA - Jeannette Green stood in the shade Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Park, where dozens of vets, military supporters and county officials turned out for an expansion ground breaking ceremony.

Green, who retired from the Navy in 1971, applauded the $2.5 million project to renovate the park's roads, trails, parking and caretaker areas and add new signage and special events bleachers.

"This will be a living tribute to those who died for our country," Green said.

Patriotic events and rotating educational displays are held throughout the year at the 3,652-square foot museum and 35-acre park, off U.S. 301 on the banks of the Tampa Bypass Canal.

The Hillsborough County Veterans Council has partnered with the county to see the project through. The improvements will be paid for with $1.5 million in Community Investment Tax money and $1 million in property taxes.

Future plans awaiting funding call for the construction of 11 outdoor theater of war displays, a veterans office to serve the public, and a new, two-story museum building.

Leonard Black, council president, said the county commission agreed to consider matching any money veterans groups can raise for the final phases.

"It's going to be a challenge, because donations are down," Black said.

The volunteer pool at veteran's organizations, he said, also is dwindling.

Mary Ellen Harlan, council secretary, said as living veterans die, their relatives are needed to step up and help organize events to honor vets. Her husband, a Navy pilot during WW II and the Korean War, died while serving his country.

"The tears that have been shed by family members can be turned into tributes to their loved ones," she said.

Veterans council member Tom Fletcher said the park expansion is expensive, but priceless.

"We draw a lot of military and retired military who migrate here for health care and other services provided by the federal government," Fletcher said. "Between MacDill Air Force Base and James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, this park is sitting in the catbird seat."

For more information, call the museum, (813) 744-5502.

Community Investment Tax
Hillsborough County's Community Investment Tax is a half-penny sales tax approved by voters in September 1996. Since its inception, the tax has generated more than $993.7 million to fund capital improvement projects throughout the county in the following areas: education, public safety, transportation, water, wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater, community stadiums, parks, libraries, museums, and government facilities.
Source: www.hillsboroughcounty.org

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 627-4767.

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