September 4, 2020 Christa Construction Renovates the Remember Garden at Highland Park

Photos from DePaul

ROCHESTER, NY, September 4, 2020 – Christa Construction recently collaborated with DePaul to renovate the existing Remember Garden at Highland Park. Since 2004, the Remember Garden was built to lend dignity and respect to the approximately 700 unnamed graves that were discovered in 1984. Those buried there died over a century ago when they were institutionalized at the Monroe County Insane Asylum, Almshouse and Penitentiary.

“The existing pergolas that were in place to remember the unmarked graves were starting to rot away. Christa gathered a few of our subcontractors and suppliers to donate the materials and labor to replace them,” said Jay Weaver, Project Executive at Christa.

During the two-week process, demolition, construction of the new pergolas, landscaping and benches were replaced. The Christa Team which included Damon Allen, Project Manager and Mark Monclova, Carpenter, handled the demolition of the existing pergolas and set the post for the new pergolas. The renovation included generous donations and time from local companies. Morse Lumber donated all the lumber for the new pergolas and IPE wood for new benches. TMD helped build and install both pergolas and benches. To bring the Remember Garden to life, Lakeview Landscape provided new landscaping, removing old trees and plants that were not wanted by DePaul.

Throughout our lifetime, every one of us has contributed to our surroundings, big or small. It is vitally important to be aware of the value of human life, and The Remember Garden embraces that value. We are honored to work with DePaul on this important project because we believe in honoring all lives. The lives that have been forgotten; they matter.

Although the project is completed, you can still donate a gift to the Remember Garden to support maintenance of the site at DePaul’s website here.