SUNDRE — A local resident who has played a leading role in spearheading the creation of a community memorial park is happy to see the project becoming a reality.
Council voted to support the initiative during the regularly scheduled June 22 meeting, conducted by teleconference.
Bev Hallett is formerly a member of the Sundre Palliative Care Association.
During an interview at the site of the future memorial park, which is located south of Fourth Avenue NE, Hallett said she was initially inspired to pursue the initiative because, “I really felt that this was all part of palliative care and grief and bereavement supports that are needed in the community, and I just love gardening. And it was another opportunity to beautify Sundre.”
While the idea has been discussed for about three years, there was little action until more recently, Hallett said.
“I think we all had three months with nothing else to do this spring. We all had this pent up need to do something,” she said, with a chuckle.
Seeing the vision taking shape after several years is a bit intimidating, she said.
“But the kind of response I’ve got from people that want to partner with us from the community is just so gratifying. I’m really excited,” she quickly added.
“I hope everyone else is too, once they see the plan.”
The park will remain an evolving work in progress, she said.
“It’s never going to be finished. It’s all trees — there are no flowers — so, it’s going to take years to mature and really become what we want it to be. That’s why we need to start now,” she said.
The main sponsors are donors who do not seek recognition, she said.
“All the ones I know want to remain anonymous. But donations will be made through the palliative care association,” she said.
While the municipality’s support in maintaining the site is welcome, the park is for the public to enjoy, she said.
“We don’t feel that this is a town project. We want to make it a community project.”
Diana Kleinloog, association president, said the organization has — through proceeds raised during last year’s Wade Konschuh Memorial Tournament — provided a portion of the funds to create the memorial park space, but is not the sole contributor. She added the association is also facilitating the effort to process donations.
Kleinloog described the park as an ideal place to sit peacefully, meditate and reflect.
Anyone interested in getting involved or making a donation can contact the association by email at [email protected].
