Public Meeting on Frick Park Memorial of Trees

in New Light

This event has ended

  • Date

    April 1, 2020

  • Time

    1:00 am - 3:00 am

The 10.27 Healing Partnership, in conjunction with the three congregations, Congregation Dor Hadash, New Light Congregation and Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha impacted by the mass shooting at the Tree of Life building on October 27, 2018, have scheduled a public meeting to discuss a proposed Frick Park Memorial of Trees on March 30, 2020 at 5-7 PM at the Frick Environmental Center on Beechwood Blvd., Squirrel Hill.

Early Artists Rendering of Frick Park Memorial of Trees in relation to Tree of Life Building and Beechwood Blvd. Entrance.

The proposed memorial (see Concept Plan) consists of the planting of eleven trees and three benches, with each bench having a plaque listing the names and congregational affiliation of the deceased. It will be located on Beechwood Blvd just south of the current Frick Park Environmental Center (where the old Environmental Center was located). There will be no other sign or marker designating the memorial. It is designed to be a quiet place of reflection and contemplation. The memorial is the result of an anonymous gift to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy made in November, 2018, immediately after the mass shooting. The design was developed by the City of Pittsburgh’s Parks Department in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

History of the Development of Memorial

November, 2018: Anonymous donor (mother and daughter) donate $5,000 to Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for eleven trees and benches in Frick Park.
January, 2019: Conservancy approaches three congregations (Congregation Dor Hadash, New Light Congregation and Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha) to develop project
February, 2019:Conservancy proposes trees to be planted in lower Frick Park near Blue Slide. Proposal rejected by three congregation leadership.
March, 2019:Conservancy, after discussion with City, proposes area near current Environmental Center in upper Frick Park. Proposal accepted by three congregation leadership.
April, 2019:City shows Concept Plan to congregations. Plan accepted.
July, 2019:City releases Concept Plan to congregations. Plan presented to Families of Deceased Victims (Families).
August, 2019: City explains installation process takes approximately six weeks to get area ready for tree planting. Planting can only occur in mid-Fall (late September thru early November) or mid-Spring (early April thru mid-May).
September, 2019:Congregations meet with Families, who request project be delayed until after first year memorial event.
December, 2019: Families express support for project. Their main concern is assurance of future maintenance.
January, 2020:Tree of Life requests a public informational meeting be held to solicit community input.
February, 2020:10.27 Healing Partnership agrees to convene public informational hearing.
March, 2020:Families approve project. Public Meeting scheduled.

Public comments can also be submitted via email to: park@newlightcongregation.org

Address

Frick Park Environmental Center 2005 Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

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