Memorial park to honor veterans, help protect lagoon

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PARK-THE-LAKESMERRITT ISLAND: What started as an idea about a decade ago, has turned into an environmental, economic and recreational win for Brevard County.

 

by Arnaldo Rodgers

The Lakes at Veterans Memorial Park — just south of the Merritt Square mall — is turning vacant land into an 80-acre multi-use waterfront park that includes a 22-acre lake that filters storm water before it runs into Newfound Harbor and the Indian River Lagoon.

Merritt Island residents, veterans and others looked on Monday afternoon as county officials and veterans broke ground along the large pond for what will be the $400,000 recreational portion of the project.

County Commissioner Chuck Nelson, who has long headed the effort to get the project done, said he would like to see similar multi-purpose use projects elsewhere in the county.

“This is like a dream for me,” Nelson said before the groundbreaking. “This happened because of all of you.”

The park, off Fortenberry Road, behind the mall, will include salt and fresh water wetlands, walking trails, wildlife observation area, a picnic pavilion, playground, educational kiosk and canoe and kayak launching area.

It will eventually form one large complex to encompass the Veterans Memorial Center, and will add monuments and facilities for veterans’ organizations.


Already the Veterans Memorials Center and Park is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Seems to be a nice park and good intentions. I suppose the ‘veteran’ part is the name and the multi-use facilities for organizations and meetings that might include veterans.

    That water filtering lake is happening a lot nowadays and probably will have some long-term positive influence on riverine water quality.

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