American Legion member Harold Barron was nothing if not persuasive. His request on behalf of the organization to have the Coweta County Commissioners contribute to the construction of Veteran’s Memorial Park in the Temple Avenue Park in Newnan was approved unanimously Aug. 19. The Commission agreed to allocated up to $125,000 for the project to honor Coweta’s veterans.

Barron and landscape architect Dennis Drewyer said plans for the park originated from the vision of local artists and veterans working together.

“We started talking about this a few years ago and formed a committee to honor our veterans from World War I to the present,” Barron told commissioners, noting the 9,100 veterans, including two Congressional Medal of Honor winners, that call Coweta County home. “We agree to build a first class park for the community to be proud of.”

A veteran’s monument will be positioned at the entrance to the memorial park area. Plaques honoring veteran’s from the different wars will be placed along an elevated arched wall at the rear of the memorial. A brick podium will face the arch. Throughout the memorial area, landscaping will feature a variety of oak, cherry, maple and dogwood and other trees along with a wealth of shrubs and flowers.

“This will be a beautiful site for everyone, not just veterans,” Drewyer said.

American Legion began the fundraising effort by selling bricks at $50 each. Those efforts, including from other funds donated, resulted in $110,000 being raised for the project.

The Coweta Commissioners followed the city of Newnan and voted to contribute up to $125,000 for the park.

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