Work begins on 1st Veterans Memorial Park in Hardeeville. Here are the details
A new landmark is taking shape in the heart of Hardeeville, providing a dedicated space to honor veterans and first responders in the community.
Soon to be known as Hardeeville Memorial Park, this new park will be located at 20 Main Street, adjacent to the Hardeeville Library.
What began as a simple idea from Hardeeville resident Stephen (Steve) Talbot, a retired Chief Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard and Air Force, has grown into a multi-million-dollar project that honors service and sacrifice.
This space offers a convenient location, just off I-95 and near neighborhoods of greater Bluffton like Hilton Head Lakes, Latitude Margaritaville and Sun City.
The purpose
Talbot and his wife, Kathy, have long been involved in honoring veterans through programs like Wreaths Across America, which they helped establish locally in Hardeeville after moving to the area in 2013.
The roots of this project stretch back to 2019 said Jennifer Combs, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director for the City of Hardeeville.
Talbot had initially floated the idea of a veterans park, recognizing that surrounding communities all had similar tributes to veterans and first responders in existence, with the plan for Hardeeville’s park fully taking shape in 2022.
“This park is it is something that both represents our community and addresses a huge community need,” said Combs. “It’s something that’s been in the works for a while and it’s exciting to see it all come together.”
What will the park offer?
The park was designed by Wood + Partners and will be constructed by Nix Construction, a local company known for its recent work at Bluffton’s New Riverside Barn Park.
The project will cost just under $4 million, funded largely by the City of Hardeeville’s General Fund, Combs said.
Construction officially began on July 9, with the project set to be complete by early fall of 2026.
Some unique aspects of this park that will honor veterans and responders include:
Granite monuments representing all branches of the U.S. military
A first responders memorial honoring police, fire, EMS and others
A memorial garden and gathering lawn
Specialty paving featuring 13 bronze stars, symbolizing the original colonies
New parking, including 16 standard and 6 ADA-compliant spaces
In addition, this park will provide walking paths and dedicated spaces for reflection, education and local celebrations.
While other cities in the region already have parks that honor veterans, the Hardeeville Memorial Park will be the city’s first of its kind. Other veteran parks across the Lowcountry include:
Currently, the only existing park within Hardeeville city limits is Sergeant Jasper Park, which primarily serves recreational purposes.
For updates on the park’s progress, you can visit the City of Hardeeville’s website or follow their Facebook page.
