Commissioners approve $10,000 to replace grass with memorial brick garden at Rockwall County Veterans Memorial

The Commissioner's Court on March 24 approved a $10,000 county contribution to support a memorial brick garden at the Rockwall County Veterans Memorial, a project presented by David Peake of the newly formed Rockwall County Veterans Memorial Foundation.

"We formalized the organization in December 2025," said David Peake, who identified himself as the county treasurer and a veteran. He laid out a plan in which the county would pay for concrete slabs and site preparation while the foundation would donate and install engraved bricks. Peake said replacing the three grass terraces with a brick garden would reduce maintenance, remove trip hazards caused by settling soil and make the memorial more of a draw for the public.

Commissioner Gallano moved to fund the project from the court’s community line and Commissioner Stacy seconded; the motion passed 5–0. County maintenance staff and the auditor had identified an unfunded veterans memorial line and other possible community event or open-space budget offsets that could be used to cover the county’s share.

Peake described the foundation’s formation, the memorial’s history and donated additions over the years, and urged the court to support a modest county partnership to make the project feasible. "We'd ask for about $10,000 to cover anything unknown at this point, prior to purchasing the bricks and having those installed," he said. The foundation plans to manage brick sales, vendor selection and installation and will return to the court with detailed plans as work progresses.

The court’s vote directs staff to process the funding as discussed; Peake said the foundation will keep the court updated as installation plans firm up.