VETERAN’S MEMORIAL PARK
Fund raising started in June 2023 when the Selectboard approved $50,000 from the 1% fund towards the project. Since then, fundraising has included 50/50 raffles at craft fairs, flea market and downtown events, a BBQ, a fundraiser at American Flatbread, bake sale, raffling a quilt, mailing to all property owners/residences in Wilmington, and a silent auction. Southern Vermont Realty Group helped to raise funds with offering to match donations up to $5,000 during November 2023. Even though we didn’t get $5,000 in donations they still gave the match. We have $20,000 given by the American Legion and $2,000 from the Rotary Club of Deerfield Valley. We have had many individuals who have made multiple donations since we started fundraising.
We have applied for four different grants so far. The first was through Vermont Veterans Fund where we received $7,500. The other three we did not receive. There is another grant which will help with purchasing and planting of trees but we can’t apply for that until we have everything else underway. Hopefully it will be available in 2026. We are currently working with Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Watershed Program, to possibly incorporate some storm water management into the project which they would provide funding for.
As of now our total raised is $144,306. The total project is estimated at $307,085. The Selectboard approved our 1% request for $165,682 at their July 15, 2025 meeting. We anticipate going out to bid this fall/winter and breaking ground in the spring of 2026.
The Veterans Memorial Park will not only honor our military members but it will also be a place for visitors and residents to enjoy their surroundings.
Veterans Park Committee
Walter White
Christine Richter
Samantha Kondracki
Eric Craven
Todd Stewart
Veterans Memorial Park Presentation
