Item 8.3 – Approval of Conceptual Design for
the Veterans Liberty Garden Project
May 14, 2025
1 Staff recommends that the City Council approve the conceptual design for the Veterans Liberty Garden Project and authorize staff to advance final design development, refine cost estimates, and expand community engagement to support project funding and implementation.
Recommendation
2 • Approved by City Council on November 12, 2024 to establish a public space honoring local veterans.
• Ad-Hoc Committee appointed December 11, 2024.
• Updates at the February 12 & April 23, 2025 City Council meetings. • Community input included informal forums with veterans & families. • Jan 2025 survey (30 responses):
• Honor veterans & active-duty
• Include military flags & civic art
• Preferred name - Veterans Liberty Garden
• Key Features include engraved paver bricks, stone display walls with plaques, civic-themed statue, flagpoles, ornamental trees and plantings.
Background
3 • Proposed on a 0.5-acre site at the
terminus of Grand Avenue, near the
Safeway retail center.
• Site offers high visibility, accessibility, and
future integration into the City’s park
system.
• Conceptual design blends traditional park
elements with commemorative features
based on community input and Ad-Hoc
Committee direction.
Discussion
4 Site Plan
5 Site
Furnishings
6 Garden
Features
7 Garden
Features
8 Paving
Details
9 Plant
Palette
10 Plant
Palette
11 Discussion
12 Discussion
13 Discussion
14 Discussion
15 Next Steps and Timeline
16 • May-June 2025 – Finalize conceptual Design and establish fundraising goals • July 2025 – Complete detailed design and cost estimates • August 2025 – Finalize funding commitments.
• November 11, 2025 (Target Goal) – Groundbreaking ceremony for the Veterans Liberty Garden, contingent on design approval, secured funding and weather.
No immediate fiscal impact from approving the
conceptual design.
Commemorative elements add an estimated
$110,000 to base park costs.
To Be Funded Through:
Community fundraising (e.g. engraved bricks)
Sponsorships & private donations
Potential grants
Full budget to be presented at final design phase.
Fiscal Impact
17 Staff recommends that the City Council approve the conceptual design for the Veterans Liberty Garden Project and authorize staff to advance final design development, refine cost estimates, and expand community engagement to support project funding and implementation.
Recommendation
18 Questions?
19