A part of South Glenmore Park will soon be turned into Calgary’s first fully dedicated music garden and performance space thanks to the efforts of five families and their friends who have turned tragedy into hope.
In 2014, Lawrence Hong, Josh Hunter, Kaiti Perras, Jordan Segura, and Zackariah Rathwell lost their lives in a senseless murder.
Now five years after the tragedy, the Quinterra Legacy Garden is being planned to celebrate and honour their lost loved ones and leave a legacy of each of their children.
“The Quinterra Legacy Garden will be full of unity and love,” said Barclay Hunter, father of Josh Hunter, who lives just outside of Priddis. “It is our way of thanking Calgarians for their incredible support during the last five years and for reminding us that there is light beyond tragedy and loss.”
The Garden will house interactive musical and play elements along with a 30-foot diameter stage for music, dance, theatre, spoken word, yoga and healing circles. Plans include placing weather-resistent musical instruments throughout the garden. The park will include elements representing the five individuals lost, reflecting each of their personalities through art. Design elements will embrace motifs that represent the number five. Five branches, leaves and roots in the garden logo; a five-pointed star on the performance stage; and five chairs placed in front of five flowering trees planted in the garden.
“We are in the fundraising stage,” said Barclay. “We hope to raise $800,000 for the garden with a construction start this summer. Because Josh and some of the others were involved in music, it makes sense that a garden that allows Calgarians to express themselves through the arts would be a unique experience.”
Barclay explains that the garden will support the arts, mental health, youth, and strong families while giving back to the community through creativity, meditation, inclusivity, play and discovery.
The Quinterra Group is partnering with organizations in Calgary to build the garden:
City of Calgary Parks Department, Parks Foundation Calgary, Bassett Associates Landscape Architecture and the Prophets of Music.
Prophets of Music is a Calgary organization that helps young musicians further their careers. A documentary about the program (Above the Noise, Straight to the Heart) was recently produced by Sherana Productions for Telus. Look for it on the Telus YouTube Channel, or use the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tNF0vhBP28
For more information, send an email to quinterralegacygarden@gmail.com.
To donate, go to www.parksfdn.com/community-projects and select Quinterra Legacy Garden from the dropdown menu. Donations will receive a tax receipt.
by Garry Bridgewater
