Veterans Park Task Force presents year of improvements, asks council to accept recommendations and designate veterans council

A group of local veterans who served on the Veterans Park Task Force told the Casper City Council on Aug. 14, 2025, that the group had overseen a year of maintenance and safety improvements at Veterans Park and asked the council to accept a set of written recommendations and formally conclude the task force.

Nick Whipps, a parks department staff member who introduced the item, said the project included demolition of deteriorated structures, tree care and fertilization, broadleaf weed control, sidewalk edging, upgraded flagpole lighting, replacement of a concrete ring and installation of a new ADA ramp, new concrete bench pads, installation of donated military benches and three new trash receptacles. "There was a lot of private donations upwards of about $10,000 that went into this project," Whipps said.

Eric Distad, chair of the Veterans Park Task Force, and other task force members credited the Parks Department and city staff with helping the project proceed quickly. "It couldn't have been more collegial than it was," Distad said, adding that members urged councilors to visit the site to see the work.

The task force's written recommendations, submitted to the city in a letter dated 08/14/2025, ask the council to: retain Veterans Park in its current location as the permanent site honoring Natrona County veterans; issue a proclamation recognizing Veterans Park as a lasting symbol of the city's appreciation; formally conclude the Veterans Park Task Force upon council acceptance of the recommendations; and designate the Natrona County United Veterans Council as the city's ongoing advisory body for veterans-related park issues and improvements.

City staff and task force members told the council that continuing the task force would require unnecessary recurring staff time and that shifting advisory responsibilities to an existing veterans council would free staff capacity. Task force members also described additional fundraising and planning underway for a separate project called "Silent Battle," to be sited near the river; they said a future presentation on that project is forthcoming.

Council members indicated support for the task force proposals and provided staff direction to move forward with the recommendations; no formal ordinance or vote was recorded on the item during the meeting.

The council accepted the task force's report and direction, and staff will proceed with the recommended next steps, including bringing forward any necessary proclamations or administrative steps to recognize Veterans Park and to work with the Natrona County United Veterans Council as an advisory group.