On Saturday, December 3rd at 5:00pm the City of Marco Island will host three events to dedicate the new Veterans’ Community Park. The first event will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new bandshell located at 901 Park Avenue on Marco Island. Representatives from the City Council, Manhattan Construction Group, Kimley Horn Engineering, and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will be recognized for the completion of this year-long reconstruction project. Following the dedication ceremony, Christmas Island Style will lead the annual Christmas tree lighting. At 7:00pm, a free concert featuring Joel Fry will take place. Residents are encouraged to enjoy an evening of festivities in our new park. Attendees should bring chairs or blankets for seating.

Vendors will be onsite selling food and drinks. For this event, to allow the newly planted sod to establish itself, there will be no vehicle parking on the grass within the park. Vehicle parking around the park is limited and residents are encouraged to carpool, walk, cycle, or drop off family members and park nearby. Additional parking is available at New Life Community Church at 489 West Elkcam Circle and Marco Lutheran Church at 525 North Collier Blvd. A drop-off location is designated at the corner of Park Avenue near the Holiday Inn. Drive slowly and watch for Police Officers directing traffic. There will be many pedestrians and children in the area.

In 2020 the City Council approved spending approximately $11 million to rebuild the park to include a multi-generational play area, a state-of-the-art bandshell and concert lawn, a Veterans’ Memorial Garden, new restroom facilities, and a large space with new sod and landscaping for the City’s Farmer’s Market. The park’s reconstruction was partially funded by the voter-approved Collier County local option sales tax. These improvements will allow the City to host a wide range of programs, events, and activities that will be accessible and welcoming to people of all ages all year round.

Following the grand opening on December 3, 2022, the first Farmer’s Market of the season will take place at Veterans’ Community Park on December 7th. The Farmer’s Markets will take place every Wednesday from 7:30am – 1:00pm until May 10th.

Streets and sidewalks around Park Avenue and West Elkcam Circle get very congested during events at Veterans’ Community Park. Please drive with caution, watch for pedestrians crossing the street, and only park in designated parking areas. Be aware that traffic patterns may change to manage the volume of vehicles and pedestrians present in the area.

Source: The City of Marco Island (https://www.cityofmarcoisland.com/community/page/press-release-22-60-veterans-community-park-reopening)