2026 Strategic Plan

Adopted May 17, 2026

 

Mission

to manage the upkeep and improvements of Freedom Park and to

coordinate activities that honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of US Military Veterans.

(approved 12/16/2025)

 

Vision Statement

Freedom Park is a symbol of respect for and gratitude towards our military Veterans; an expression of love of country; and an acknowledgment that Freedom isn’t free, and that our enviable lifestyle is a gift.

 

Core Values

Members of FFP will espouse the following values:

·        Pride in being part of a community that acknowledges the sacrifices of military Veterans.

·        Respect for members of FFP, Lake Cherokee shareholders, and our military Veterans when making decisions affecting Freedom Park.

·        Duty to uphold the mission of FFP, to remember our Veterans, to honor wishes of donors and Lake Cherokee shareholders.

·        Integrity to maintain honorable intentions, to be honest and transparent, to hold ourselves and other FFP leaders to high moral standards.

·        Compassion to be empathetic to the feelings of Veterans and Lake Cherokee shareholders in all programs, activities and monuments/memorials.

·        Patriotic to express our love of country in all our programs, activities and monuments/memorials

·        Service to Freedom Park, its members, and its mission.

 

2026 Pillars & Goals

Priority 1:  Park Stewardship.  FP is a pristine, well-planned, usable, accessible park where shareholders can go to reflect on: the sacrifices made by others, the gift of freedom received by those sacrifices, love of country and Lake Cherokee.

             GOAL1:  A year-round maintenance plan is developed to include flag replacement, landscaping, and monument cleaning and budget.

 

Priority 2:  Honoring Veterans.  FP continuously offers ways to honor veterans who are important to shareholders including monuments, memorials, and private honor ceremonies.

             GOAL2a:  Memorial Bench plan is started to install another bench

             GOAL2b:  2nd Wall of Honor is designed by end of 2026

             GOAL2c:  Pier is installed by end of 2026

             GOAL2d:  Pathway – accessible (pea gravel) is installed by end of 2026

 

Priority  3:  Creating a Veteran Community.  FP is the site of veteran-centric activities such as:

a)      caring for mental and physical health of veterans

b)     showing veterans that they are valued

c)      creating a veteran community at the Lake

d)     allowing non-veterans to display their support

e)      encouraging young people to join the military

GOAL3a:  Create a list of veterans around the lake to include military information

GOAL3b:  Offer a veterans fishing activity by end of 2026

GOAL3c:  Collaborate with local veterans’ organizations (CWI, ONS, Sheepdog)

 

 

Priority 4:  Celebrating Patriotic Days, Groups, and People. FP is the site for annual ceremonies including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Patriots Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day and others.

             GOAL 4a:  Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday in May)

GOAL 4b: Memorial Day (last Monday of May)

             GOAL 4c:  Flag Day – flag disposal ceremony (June 14th)

             GOAL 4d:  250th Independence Day (July 4th)

             GOAL 4e:  Patriot Day (Sept 11th)

             GOAL 4f:  Veterans Day (Nov 11th)

              

 

Priority 5: Financially Sustainable, Legal, and Ethical Operations.  All activities of FFP follow legal and ethical mandates.

             GOAL5a:  FFP will do a presentation to CWC Board to establish a good relationship before end of year.

             GOAL5b:  Donations can be made electronically by Memorial Day 2026

             GOAL5c:  Create one big fundraising event/activity for 2027 – on a date that belongs to FFP (~Veterans Day?)

             GOAL5d: A simplified fundraising plan is developed including levels of giving.

             GOAL5e: FFP is financially sustainable by December 2026. 

 

Priority 6: Member Experience. 

GOAL6a:  FFP’s membership at January 2027 is 50

GOAL6b:  A membership benefits plan is created by Memorial Day 2026

 

Priority 7:  Communication & Promotion.  Lake Cherokee, Veterans, and local community are kept informed of Freedom Park activities and events

             GOAL7a:  Website is re-designed to be user friendly to members and potential donors.

             GOAL7b:  Communications are up-to-date and informative – social media, CWC portal, Chatter. 

             GOAL7c:   FFP publishes an annual report that goes to all donors/members.

             GOAL7d:  Merchandise is available for sale by Memorial Day with discounts for Members