Construction Nears on ALCA-Sponsored Memorial Park

HERNDON, Va. -- The Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) will soon begin construction on a $2 million, half-acre park the organization is building in New York as a memorial to 9/11 rescue and recovery workers.

The team of ALCA representatives is scheduled to begin construction on the recently named Renaissance Park by October, according to ALCA. The park will be located at the site in Lower Manhattan (between Canal, Laight and Varick streets) where the general public came to view recovery activity and left behind thousands of letters, ribbons and mementos.

Renaissance Park will feature “a magnificent fountain and dramatic walkways with flowing ribbons of crushed stone,” which was designed by a 21-member team of ALCA representatives. The stone will come from all 50 states, symbolizing the country’s unification and strength. Spearheading the project is Rick Doesburg of Thornton Landscape, Mainevile, Ohio and Bruce Hunt of The Brickman Group, Long Grove, Ill.

“This is an incredible opportunity for ALCA to support a city that has suffered so much over the last few years,” Doesburg says. “This project reflects the creativity of the green industry, which has the unusual capability of putting competition aside in order to reach a common goal.”

ALCA is collecting donations to help build Renaissance Park and to create an endowment for continued maintenance of the park. All contributions are tax deductible. Donors may purchase a symbolic 16-square-foot parcel of the park for $500. Donors may also become park sponsors by donating $2,500 as Silver Sponsors or $10,000 as Platinum Sponsors.