Karen Rogers, center, and Patty Pastore talk Friday with Port Angeles resident Ron Morr about temporary fencing erected Friday morning around the Liberty Bell at Veterans Memorial Park on Lincoln Street in Port Angeles.

Parks and Recreation chief Corey Delikat said the fence went up so that artist Bob Stokes can fabricate a new custom-made iron fence.

The park will open, if only temporarily, for the next Friday ceremony honoring veterans Aug. 30.

The project is expected to be completed in about two weeks, Delikat said.

The all-volunteer effort was spearheaded by Rogers, who gathered donations for the fence — estimated in May to cost $17,000 — extra lighting and a security camera after complaints of vandalism and trash.

The project was approved by the city parks and recreation commission.

The bell was installed in 1976 for the national bicentennial celebration.