Greene County Veterans Memorial Site Selected After Public Input

Russell Park in Jefferson chosen as location for new monument honoring local veterans

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:31pm

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The Greene County Veterans Memorial Foundation held a meeting to gather public input on the location for a new veterans memorial monument. After reviewing 12 potential sites, the foundation narrowed it down to three options, with Russell Park in Jefferson as their top choice. Following a discussion with local officials and community members, the Russell Park location was agreed upon as the site for the new memorial.

Why it matters

The establishment of a veterans memorial in Greene County will provide a central place for the community to honor and remember those who have served in the military. The selection of the site was an important step in making this memorial a reality, as it involved gathering feedback from key stakeholders to ensure the location meets the needs of veterans and the broader community.

The details

At the meeting, Mike Bierl, the chair of the Greene County Veterans Memorial Foundation, presented the three finalist locations: Russell Park in Jefferson, the Greene County Courthouse grounds, and the Greene County Community Center. After discussing the pros and cons of each site, most attendees agreed that Russell Park was the best choice. Jefferson City Administrator Scott Peterson expressed the city's support for the project and noted that it would need to go through the Parks and Recreation Board and City Council for final approval.

  • The meeting to discuss the memorial location was held on April 8, 2026.
  • The foundation plans to hold another public input meeting later this summer before finalizing the memorial's design.

The players

Mike Bierl

The chair of the Greene County Veterans Memorial Foundation who led the presentation and discussion on the potential memorial locations.

Scott Peterson

The Jefferson City Administrator who expressed the city's support for the memorial project and noted the next steps for approval.

Greene County Veterans Memorial Foundation

The organization created to establish a veterans memorial that would honor all military veterans in Greene County, as well as any current or future serving individuals.

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What they’re saying

“Well, from the Parks and Rec Department and the City Administrator, it was a very good discussion and it sounded like they are really all in on having that location and moving forward with that and working with us. So that was really good and productive, I would say.”

— Mike Bierl, Chair, Greene County Veterans Memorial Foundation

“The city wanted to be a good partner with this kind of project and added that it would need to go through the Parks and Recreation Board and eventually to the City Council for final approval.”

— Scott Peterson, Jefferson City Administrator

What’s next

The Greene County Veterans Memorial Foundation plans to gather more public input on the memorial's design later this summer before finalizing the plans. They will also begin the fundraising process to determine the budget for the project.

The takeaway

The selection of Russell Park as the site for the Greene County Veterans Memorial is an important step in honoring the service and sacrifice of local veterans. By involving the community in the decision-making process, the foundation is ensuring the memorial will be a meaningful and inclusive space for the entire county.