Phase II of Cape May County Veterans Cemetery Upgrade Approved

Crest Haven, NJ — The Cape May County Commissioners have approved a concept plan for the second phase of upgrades to the county's Veterans Cemetery, following the success of Phase I. The plan, presented by Jason Tronco from Melillo, Bauer, Carman Landscape Architects on March 25, includes both functional and aesthetic improvements.
The $2.2 million Phase II will focus on creating a vegetative buffer between the cemetery and the correctional center, upgrading the maintenance yard with a new drive-through pole barn, and adding a new walkway to the directory building for easier navigation. Additionally, new wayfinding signage will help visitors locate plots. Other planned features include additional seating, shade structures, gardens, a memorial walk, and a prayer garden enclosed by walls for a peaceful setting. Construction is expected to begin by the end of the summer, with completion slated for around Veterans Day 2026. Veterans Cemetery Committee members, including local funeral director Dennis Spilker and Lower Township Mayor Frank Sippel, praised the project for its positive impact on veterans and their families, especially following the enhancements of Phase I. Phase I included the installation of new roads, topsoil seeding, shade trees, new lighting, and the addition of a ceremony plaza, transforming the cemetery into a dignified and reflective resting place for local veterans.