BrightView creates memorial park for Florida community to honor veterans, first responders

Photo: BrightViewPhoto: BrightView

The management at Forest Lake Estates in Zephyrhills, Florida, had reached out to BrightView to relocate some flagpoles, but the end result was a beautiful memorial park for residents to enjoy.

The project was recently completed and was dedicated on Veterans Day weekend. More than 600 Forest Lake community members, including 75 veterans and first responders attended the dedication. Also present was Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield, retired U.S. Air Force Gen. David Scott, Deputy Fire Chief Andrew Fossa, Pasco County Sheriff Tait Sanborn and leaders from both BrightView and Forest Lakes Estates.

“This all began when we were asked to relocate some flag poles and it has snowballed into an amazing project,” said Keith Wilson, vice president and regional sales leader at BrightView. “There are a lot of service members and first responders in Forest Lake Estates, and the Zephyrhills area and our team is proud to give back to those who served.”

Photo: BrightViewPhoto: BrightView

A scenic lakeside location was reserved for the park and BrightView donated the design, irrigation, hardscape installation and landscape installation. It coordinated with local and national vendors to receive all materials at no cost.

The park features a flag for each military branch, paver walks, a memorial wall, a commemorative plaque, new landscaping and a first responders’ fire pit area all within the heart of the age-qualified housing community. It will serve as a place of remembrance to honor the many veterans and first responders who live in the community and beyond.

“We have a lot of veterans who live at Forest Lake Estates and we were looking for a way to honor not only them but the veterans and first responders in the Zephyrhills community,” said Steven Bagiardi, general manager of Forest Lakes Estates.

Residents will be able to purchase and dedicate bricks on the walk way and memorial wall. The proceeds go toward the maintenance of the park.

“We worked to create a beautiful park and memorial that will only become better with time,” Wilson said. “Witnessing how our team, the Forest Lake team, and other partners all rallied to bring this vision to life was really something special.”

Check out the video below to see more on the project.

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