CAPE MAY POINT — Fundraising efforts for the Veterans Memorial Park have nearly reached the goal of $50,000.
On July 14, Commissioner Suzanne Yunghans said the Veterans Memorial Park Committee (VMPC) has raised $46,095, in addition to the $33,000 commitment from the Cape May Point Taxpayers Association.
The Veterans Memorial off Oak Avenue has been in the works for the past three years. The goal of the project was to create a calming place of reflection with seating, enhance the entrance to Cape May Point and provide paths accessible for all to visit the memorial.
The project originated with a bequest from the estate of Cape May Point resident and U.S. Air Force veteran Mark Wrotny to the Cape May Point Taxpayers Association. The bequest includes a one-third interest in the proceeds from the sale of his home, contingent upon using $50,000 of the money to erect a memorial on borough property at the north end of Lake Lily.
“I want to thank, on behalf of all of us, the whole town and the Veterans Memorial Park Committee [and] the over 120 individuals who have already donated,” Yunghans said, adding that more donations are welcome.
Subsequently, the CMPTA formed the Veterans Memorial Design Committee in 2023. Members include Ed Barnhart, Cathy Stambaugh, former borough administrator Ed Grant, Environmental Commission member Sandy Allison, Civic Club member Anne Marie Patton and veterans Jim Fraatz and Lynn Smith. CMPTA director Patty Shull joined in the process.
The first phase of the memorial is complete. Work included adding topsoil, grading and installing a flagpole, carved granite, foundations and benches. The final cost was $51,888, funded by $50,000 from the Wrotny estate and a portion of a $2,785 gift from the Cape May Point Taxpayers Association.
In November, members of the design committee presented an update on the first phase of the project, including the $165,500 budget to complete the plan as envisioned. Barnhart said the committee hopes to raise half the money through donations and the other half through a matching grant.
The fundraising campaign has a $50,000 goal to complete the plan for a fully accessible and welcoming community asset. The campaign began in late December and the borough is accepting funds into a dedicated trust.
Yunghans said they hope to apply for a Cape May County Open Space Board grant and she has started reading the updated grant guidelines.
“The Open Space Board takes applications on a rolling basis,” she said. “We hope to request a 50/50 grant match, [which] means that we can use our design; we don’t need their input on our design, as specified in their guidelines.”
Yunghans added that the engineer completed a cost analysis in January, estimating a project cost of about $200,000.
“The guidelines further require, among other things, a final design, final detailed engineer’s cost estimate, any permitting that might be needed, the bid process, RFP process, the construction schedule, a plan for ongoing site maintenance and signage that acknowledges the county partnership,” she said.
Yunghans said that at the end of summer, she and the Public Works Department will meet with the Park Committee to review the design, assess the finances to date and determine the next steps.
“After this meeting, I would want to come back to the commissioners with an update and request Mayor VanHeeswyk’s consultation on the finances and Commissioner Geiger’s consultation on any related public safety issues,” Yunghans said.
She also noted that the Open Space Board strongly encourages a pre-project consultation with its planning department before any application submission.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the community for all their support for the Veterans Memorial Park and thank the commissioners for their support as well,” Stambaugh said. “Specifically, thanks to Kelly Reddington for keeping track of all the donations that have come in; there’s a lot of bookkeeping there.”
The remaining aspects of the plan include creating a crescent-shaped hardscape podium to serve as the foundation for other superstructures and provide a hard surface suitable for wheelchairs.
The next component is the east pavilion, which will provide screening for the electrical equipment and leave space for a bench. Barnhart said creating a path to Oak Avenue as the memorial’s main approach would provide handicap accessibility.
A west pavilion would create balance to the overall memorial, and the final component would be the lake loop path, connecting East Lake Drive to Cape Avenue.
Those who wish to donate to the completion of Veterans Memorial Park can write a check to Cape May Point, with a provision that the funds be earmarked for Veterans Memorial Park in a dedicated trust account. The memo line of the check must read “Veterans Memorial Park.”
Donations can be sent to Borough of CMP, Attn: Veterans Memorial Park, PO Box 490, Cape May Point, NJ 08212.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave