From the Oroville Mercury-Register   April 28, 2004

Supervisors Support Veterans Park

By Michelle Maceachern

    A vote in favor of a new tribute to veterans brought cheers from dozens at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting.

    A project to add a memorial park adjacent to the Oroville veterans Memorial Hall brought a big crowd to the meeting, some with flags. They applauded when the supervisors brought the project one step closer to reality Tuesday.

    The board of Supervisors approved a staff meeting with representatives of the city of Oroville on the project, the first phase of which includes a request for $328,000 in block grant money.

    The project already has the participation of the city and the Feather River Recreation and Park District.

Eventually, the park is slated to have a number of memorials. But the first phase mostly involves a parking lot, grassy area, and an overlook with a bench.

    According to a letter from the co-chairs of the Oroville Veterans Memorial Park Committee to the Board of Supervisors, the study group has put together a list of groups with money to be used on the job, including the city's redevelopment agency and the recreation and park district.

    Greg Melton of Land Image landscape architects described it simply as "a place for Oroville to honor their dead."

    Making the project happen involves buying three parcels of land and three rental homes and a business called Granny's Closet. An estimated $160,000 was worked into the $1.5 million project cost for relocating those who live there, according to government standards.

    The project would be built in phases, as money becomes available. Groups and individuals have already pledged support.

    "The community, veterans, the county, city and recreation district have really participated in the project," Melton said. "There's definitely a lot of passion out there right now."

    A line of local veterans urged the supervisors to take action , before they unanimously approved the idea.

Bob Jackson, veteran and former Las Plumas High School teacher, said the names that will decorate the memorials there would be a place "father could take their sons" to teach them patriotism.