By: Kimberly Lencki, Community Partnership & Engagement Manager
City of North Port Parks & Recreation
On May 22, 2026, just in time for Memorial Day, the City of North Port Parks & Recreation Department officially dedicated the Circle of Honor at City Hall Campus, marking the completion of a project years in the making and rooted in gratitude, remembrance and community collaboration. The Circle of Honor stands as a permanent tribute to U.S. veterans, active-duty military and future service members, recognizing their enduring impact on our nation and community.
In 2019, discussions first emerged around the need for a dedicated space in North Port that could better accommodate military ceremonies, quiet reflection and public recognition of those who have served and continue to serve our county. What started as an idea quickly became a shared community vision.
A major milestone came in March 2021, when the North Port City Commission established the Veteran Park Advisory Committee. The committee played an essential role in guiding the project forward, ensuring the vision reflected the values, voices and lived experiences of North Port’s military community. Over the next several years, members worked closely with the City’s Parks & Recreation Department, offering meaningful feedback on both the planning and design of the space.
In June 2022, following community input and continued collaboration, the City Commission officially approved the name “Circle of Honor,” giving identity to a project that had already become deeply meaningful to many residents.
As planning progressed, the City remained committed to environmental stewardship. Careful studies and evaluations were conducted throughout the design process to ensure the project was developed responsibly while preserving the surrounding natural landscape that makes North Port unique.
By December 2024, conceptual plans were finalized and presented to the City Commission, and in May 2025 construction was approved through a $1.69 million investment funded by park impact fees. Just two months later, in July 2025, community members gathered on-site for a groundbreaking ceremony, celebrating the moment the vision began to physically take shape.
Today, the Circle of Honor serves as more than a memorial. It is a gathering place for ceremonies, reflection and remembrance, where stories can be shared, sacrifices honored and future generations can better understand the cost of the freedoms enjoyed every day.
Designed with purpose and intention, the space invites visitors to pause in gratitude and connect with the legacy of those who came before them. It also creates an opportunity for younger generations to learn about military service through the personal stories shared by veterans, service members and their families.
The space welcomes visitors through a granite entry arch engraved with the oath of enlistment. At the center, the words “Circle of Honor” are carved in stone with a wet seal finish and surrounded by glass monuments displaying color metal emblems representing each of the six branches of the United States military. The design naturally draws the eye toward the rear of the space, where matching military branch flags stand alongside a black granite POW/MIA monument. Covered seating areas provide space for public ceremonies or quiet reflection.
For generations to come, North Port’s Circle of Honor will stand as a lasting symbol of remembrance, honor and appreciation. Families may also become part of that legacy through the City’s Tribute Program at Circle of Honor, which includes commemorative pavers and Military Medallion Plaques. For more information, visit NorthPortFL.gov/Tribute.
