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Tarrant County Vietnam Memorial foundation seeks $200,000 community partnership funds; project aims for 2026 dedication
Summary
Parks staff and the Tarrant County Vietnam Memorial Foundation presented a proposed memorial at Veterans Memorial Park with estimated cost of $355,000; the foundation has raised about $55,000 and staff recommended up to $200,000 from community partnership funds toward the project.
City parks staff and volunteer leaders of the Tarrant County Vietnam Memorial Foundation briefed the council on a proposed Vietnam War memorial to be sited in Veterans Memorial Park off Camp Bowie.
Dave Lewis, director of Parks and Recreation, outlined the memorial concept: a granite monument listing 223 Tarrant County veterans who died in or as a result of the Vietnam War, a bronze "symbolic tree" sculpture with a sword motif by local artist Michael Pavlovsky, donor brick pavers and granite benches representing service branches. The foundation is a volunteer 501(c)(3) that began fundraising in 2020.
The nut graf: The project estimate is roughly $355,000; the foundation reported approximately $55,000 raised to date and staff recommended that the city use up to 50% of the project cost or $200,000 from the community partnership fund to help leverage private fundraising.
Foundation treasurer Damon Harvey said the group has tiered donation levels (roughly $5,000 to $20,000) and provided a website for donations. "We have raised a little more than $55,000 at this time," Harvey said. Staff said the Parks and Recreation Board endorsed the project and the Art Commission recommended the artwork for the public art collection.
Staff outlined a timeline: an M&C item on April 8 to authorize a license agreement and appropriation from the community partnership fund; a fundraising and design phase through March 2026; construction targeted March to September 2026 with an anticipated dedication on Veterans Day 2026. The Parks director said the city manager's office recommended using community partnership funds to support fundraising.
Ending: Council members expressed support and said they would share donation information and that additional fundraising and formal authorizations will return to council for approval.
