AIDS Memorial Grove

National AIDS Memorial Grove
Map showing the location of National AIDS Memorial Grove
Location Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, U.S.
Coordinates 37°46′12″N 122°27′41″W / 37.77000°N 122.46139°W / 37.77000; -122.46139Coordinates: 37°46′12″N 122°27′41″W / 37.77000°N 122.46139°W / 37.77000; -122.46139
Area 7.5 acres (1000 m2)
Designation National Memorial of the United States
Established Created: September 1991 (1991-September).
Nationalized: November 1996.
7-ton Sierra granite boulder inscribed with Grove sign, at the 'Main Portal' terrace entrance, in Golden Gate Park.

The National AIDS Memorial Grove, or "The Grove," is located at the de Laveaga Dell in eastern Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco, California.[1]

The Grove is a dedicated space and place in the national landscape where the millions of Americans touched directly or indirectly by AIDS can gather to heal, hope, and remember. The mission of the AIDS Memorial Grove is to provide a healing sanctuary, and to promote learning and understanding of the human tragedy of the AIDS pandemic.

Introduction

Congress and the President of the United States approved the “National AIDS Memorial Grove Act” in 1996, which officially set aside the deLaveaga Dell land in Golden Gate Park as the site for the first AIDS memorial in the nation.[1]

The Grove continues through the additional generosity of services and financial support given by numerous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Thousands of community volunteers have ensured over 20 years that continuous gardening and regular maintenance occurs, along with periodic enhancement projects, to keep the landscape vital and sense of place beautiful.

The Grove serves as an important sanctuary for people, from locals to world visitors, a refuge for memories and a place of new enjoyment.

"Most memorials are built after the struggle is over. This battle rages on and we cannot wait, lest any one of our loved ones lost to AIDS be forgotten." [2]

The Grove's former executive director and current board member, Thom Weyand, has said that "part of the beauty of the grove is that as a memorial which receives no federal money, it is blessedly removed from the fight over the controversy of AIDS."[3]

Access

The Main Portal entrance is at 856 Stanyan Street in eastern Golden Gate Park. The West Portal and South Portal are the two other designated entrances, also on park roads surrounding The Grove.[1] Other secondary walkways enter naturally from the park roads and adjacent park areas.

Access to the Grove is open during the park's hours. Free guided tours—excursions are given monthly for the public (except winter).[4]

History of The Grove

AIDS Memorial Grove

1988

"A beautiful grove where people could find solitude and hope while remembering loved ones… a place to provide a positive focus for our grief."

1989

1990

The de Laveaga Dell was created through a gift from the estate of Jose Vicente de Laveaga in 1898. When the Dell was opened to the public on June 21, 1921, it included a lake, meandering stream, beds of irises, over-hanging oaks, and spectacular ferns. John McLaren supervised the development, that also featured rare rhododendrons, lush camellias, and artfully constructed faux boulders.[2]
In the early days, the Dell was known as the Deer Glen and used by the zoo to house animals. In addition, there was a bear housed in the rise at the far western end, now known as the 'Fern Grotto'.
The Dell was well maintained during the first half of the 20th century, but later suffered from a lack of funds for maintenance.[2]

1991

1992

The Committee also raised funds for the AIDS Memorial Grove Endowment — to commence paying for a city gardener position at the Grove, and to support maintenance of the Grove in perpetuity.
This project support configuration of volunteers and an endowment created a model to emulate for public—private partnerships in public spaces.

1993

The AIDS Memorial Grove and the City of San Francisco sign a ninety-nine year lease for the de Laveaga Dell site.

1994

1995

"The Grove represents the spirit of the people who have left and the memories that will always be there."

National AIDS Memorial Grove

Circle of Friends

1996

A later inscription expresses the 'Circle of Friends' spirit of place:
“Circle of Friends: Lives Touched By AIDS…Donors to the Grove…Those Who Have Died…Those Who Loved Them.”

National Memorial of the United States

Legislation was initiated by Representative Nancy Pelosi and Senator Dianne Feinstein.[6]
Path to the Circle of Friends

1997

A poem by Thomas Gunn is inscribed here:[1]
"dedicated to all of the unidentified individuals who fell victim to AIDS."

1998

1998

1999

The Bruner Award — “seeks to illuminate the complex process of urban place-making, so that it may be strengthened to better reflect the balance between form and use; opportunity and cost; preservation and change.”

2000

2001

2002

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 golden-gate-park.com/aids-memorial-grove . accessed 1.9.2012
  2. 1 2 3 4 Aidsmemorial.org: history . accessed 1.9.2012
  3. Garcia, Ken (November 21, 1998). "A Blessed, Beautiful Sanctuary / Memorial AIDS grove in Golden Gate Park". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  4. Tours: free monthly public tours every third Saturday of the month (between March & October) from 9am to noon. Info, or to schedule group guided excursions; contact telephone: (415) 750-8340.
  5. Aidsmemorial.org: Circle of Friends . accessed 9.1.2012 — 1.) The List of 1,683 names engraved in the Circle of Friends (as of 2012); and 2.) How to have a name engraved in the Circle of Friends.
  6. U.S. Government Printing Office: 104th Congress — Public Law No: 104-333 (1996).see Section 516 for nationalized status authorization of the AIDS Memorial Grove (published November 1996). . accessed 9.1.2012
  7. 1999 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence in the United States: 1999 Silver Medal winner — National AIDS Memorial Grove . accessed 9.1.2012 — comprehensive 32 pg. document; with map, images, and text.
  8. 1 2 Aidsmemorial.org: News and resources . accessed 1.9.2012
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