Veterans Park Groundbreaking Thursday

RIPON, Wis (WRPN)- An embarrassing moment at Veterans Park in Fond du Lac was the catalyst for $1 million in improvements to the park.

During an event at the park a 99-year-old Gold Star mother had to practically crawl up the ledge rock to the grass mound that serves as a stage.

Fond du Lac County Director of Veterans Services David Tellefsen says as a result a steering committee of veterans and county maintenance workers formed to plan improvements to the park. It will become more accessible to those with handicaps.

The county kicked in $400,000 to get the project going and $612,000 in donations has been made. They are $54,000 shy of their goal.

There will be an actual paved stage put in with ramps. Tellefsen says there will also be a wall of honor for each branch of the service and people can purchase honor bricks to honor those who have served. Blossoming trees will also be planted on the outside of the walls with a Gold Star in the center.

A groundbreaking is scheduled for Thursday morning at 8:30. Most of the work for the project will be completed by Veterans Day. Donations can be made to the Fond du Lac Area Foundation.

Photo credit: Fond du Lac County Veterans Service Office.