Families to honour their lost loved ones
Musical garden project also intended to support mental health and the arts
After more than two years of planning and community engagement, the Quinterra Legacy Garden is in full construction mode with plans to open this fall in South Glenmore Park.
The interactive musical garden celebrates the lives of Lawrence Hong, Josh Hunter, Kaitlan (Kaiti) Perras, Jordan Segura and Zackariah Rathwell, who were killed in April 2014 at a house party in Brentwood.
“It’s really exciting that we are getting quite close to being done now,” Josh’s father, Barclay Hunter, told Postmedia on Tuesday.
“This will be a place that holds a lot of meaning for our kids, an opportunity for everyone to gather, to reflect on things that are positive and to celebrate life.”
Hunter said concrete will be poured this week for pathways, fencing is being erected, and unique, weatherproof percussion instruments, which will be permanently mounted into the park, have also been shipped.
“Josh was a musician, a drummer, a percussionist. I know this is a place he would have loved to have come to just jam with all of his friends.”
Hunter said that while it was initially hoped the park would be completed last year, careful planning and broad-ranging community engagement took a little longer than expected.
“There were a lot of i’s to dot, and t’s to cross. We really wanted to make sure we got this right.”
And with COVID -19 restrictions still limiting large gatherings, this fall’s opening may have to be a smaller event with less fanfare.
Parents and family of the five youths created the project not only as a legacy to the lives lost, but also to support the arts and mental health by providing a place for reflection and giving back to the community with a new public park.
The group has collected about $500,000 in fundraising, with hopes of reaching their $750,000 goal soon.
Unique features of the Quinterra Legacy Garden include a concrete performance stage, outdoor musical instruments, ornamental trees, picnic area and immediate access to Calgary’s pathway system along the Glenmore Reservoir.
“Creating this garden has been a huge collaborative effort for so many people who knew and loved our children, as well as individuals and organizations who were moved by our children’s stories and wanted to find a way to help,” Hunter said.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed on our journey so far.”
Enmax Corp. has also been added as a new founding donor of the garden, providing lights and power to allow the space to be used day or night.
“The Quinterra Legacy Garden will provide a beautiful and unique place for community members to come together,” says Diana Stephenson, vice-president of public affairs for Enmax.
“We’re honoured to support the lighting needs of this special initiative and look forward to seeing Calgarians enjoy the space for years to come.”
The design of the garden will also support the province’s ongoing physical distancing protocol due to COVID -19, providing an opportunity for safe, spaced gatherings and outdoor enjoyment.
“When we imagined this garden, we knew we wanted it to be a place of music, the arts, dance, theatre, as well as quiet contemplation and peace,” Hunter said.
“Today, in light of the pandemic, Calgarians are seeking and enjoying outdoor spaces more than ever, and the design of this space will be a place where visitors can feel safe while being part of a greater community.”
It is also hoped the family-friendly garden will become an ongoing host venue for community events and performances.
Donations to help ensure the park can be a legacy for decades to come are still being accepted. To make a contribution, visit https:// www.parksfdn.com/quinterra.
Josh was a musician … I know this is a place he would have loved to have come to just jam with all of his friends.