By Curtis Galbraith

Community

City Hall looking at funding request for Children’s Memorial Garden

Apr 6, 2022 | 6:00 AM

City council has asked administration to look at a funding request from the group behind building a Children’s Memorial Garden in Grande Prairie.

Council approved a motion at Monday’s meeting asking staff to identify a funding source and report back to a standing committee.

Tiny Hands of Hope co-founder Karen Gilkyson says the request for just under $55,000 would allow construction to start right away.

“So, we can get the grading, earthworks, as well as the landscaping done right away. We are asking the city (for just over) $50,000. “

“That includes the pathways. There are waste bins and just the supplies for the pathways as well.”

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The total request is $54,768. Gilkyson says about $266,000 for the project is already in place. The total cost is over $400,000.

“We have been applying for grants and been busy doing that and just looking for different ways creatively to raise money and apply for grants and just get the word out there that this going to be happening this year and that we are really committed to getting the garden done this year.”

Gilkyson lost a daughter herself and says she is doing this so others can have somewhere to go to mourn.

“And remember their baby and celebrate their child, no matter the age that they lost their baby, their 14-year-old, 15-year-old, 20-year-old”

“It’s not just Tiny Hands of Hope families that are grieving (there are) so many. This will give their classmates, their uncles, their aunts, their grandparents a place to grieve.”

The city is providing land for the memorial garden near

Park and would provide services like mowing.

Drawing of the proposed Children’s Memorial Garden.