The Greensboro Parks Foundation has entered into a new partnership with the Guilford County Veterans Memorial in order to support a major restoration and expansion of the Guilford County Veterans Memorial at Country Park.

Under the agreement, the Veterans Memorial has been designated a “Community Impact Partner” of the Greensboro Parks Foundation – giving the project fiscal sponsorship, fundraising assistance and administrative support as the memorial undertakes a comprehensive capital campaign.

 The effort follows storm damage at the site and is also intended to modernize the memorial and increase its scope to honor not only 20th-century veterans but also current and future generations of service members.

Foundation officials said the partnership reflects the organization’s mission of helping community-led projects move forward in Greensboro’s parks and other public spaces.

“We are honored to support the Guilford County Veterans Memorial in this important work,” Paula Barger, executive director of the Greensboro Parks Foundation, said in a statement regarding the new effort. “This partnership exemplifies our Community Impact Partners program – empowering community-driven projects that enhance our parks and public spaces while reflecting the values and vision of those who use them most.”

The Guilford County Veterans Memorial at Country Park hosts civic and veteran events throughout the year, including Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, and is intended to remain a central place of remembrance as this enhancement project moves forward.

Plans for the memorial call for a mix of traditional and modern elements aimed at creating a more engaging experience for visitors – all while maintaining the site’s role as a place of reflection and remembrance.

Among the most visible additions will be a decommissioned UH-1M “Huey” helicopter, to be installed as a focal point at the memorial.

The iconic aircraft is widely associated with the Vietnam War and medical evacuation missions and is expected to serve as a powerful visual symbol of military service.

Other proposed improvements include seven prominent flagpoles – representing all branches of the US military – including the Space Force, expanded space for engraved memorial bricks, a bronze battle cross sculpture, improved accessibility features and enhanced landscaping throughout the site.

The project also calls for incorporating technology into the memorial with interactive displays, augmented reality experiences and digital content designed to connect the physical tributes at the site with the personal stories of veterans from Guilford County and beyond.

Those technology components are expected to be developed in later phases.

The estimated construction cost for the physical improvements is approximately $443,000.

Memorial officials said construction will begin once at least half of that amount has been raised.

The groundbreaking is anticipated to be in early 2026.

Susan Danielsen, chair of the Guilford County Veterans Memorial Board of Directors and a retired soldier, said the partnership with the Parks Foundation will allow the board to focus more fully on the memorial’s mission.

“The partnership with Greensboro Parks Foundation opens new doors for us to reach potential donors and share our vision for honoring veterans,” Danielsen said. “Through this collaboration, we can offer supporters easy online giving, tax-deductible donations and professional donor acknowledgment – all while focusing our energy on the mission of preserving this meaningful site for generations to come.”

Donations to the Guilford County Veterans Memorial Enhancement Project are tax deductible and may be made online through the Greensboro Parks Foundation at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gcveteransmemorial.

Contributions of all sizes are welcome, including cash, pledges, securities and other non-cash assets.

Checks may be mailed to the Foundation with “GCVM” noted in the memo line.

The Community Impact Partners program pairs the Greensboro Parks Foundation with neighborhood groups, volunteer organizations and nonprofits that are seeking to improve city park property.

 According to the Foundation, six active Community Impact Partners are currently participating in the program and have collectively raised over $66,000 for projects ranging from park beautification and historic preservation to recreation facility improvements.

The Greensboro Parks Foundation serves as the philanthropic partner for Greensboro Parks & Recreation.  It supports park and recreation facility improvements and programs through donor-funded projects and community partnerships.

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