Politics & Government
Groundbreaking Ceremony For New 'Gateway Gardens' Tomorrow
Plots located on east side of Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge, near downtown historic district, identified by Westport's Beautification Committee as long overdue for a makeover.
Westport residents are invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, June 28, for the new “Gateway Gardens,” located on the east side of the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge, which connects downtown Westport to the National Hall Historic District and the Saugatuck area.
Unofficially known as the “Gateway to Westport,” this highly visible area has been identified by Westport’s Beautification Committee as long overdue for a makeover.
LaurelRock, the landscape architecture design/build and maintenance company, which was founded in Westport as Dickson DeMarche Landscape Architects (DDLA), is donating its award-winning design/build services to create the new “Gateway Gardens” (valued at $35,000) that will frame each side of downtown entrance to the bridge. The firm is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
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“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 35th anniversary than to return to our roots and give back to the community that helped launch our business,” said Dickson DeMarche in a statement. “It is our hope that the Gateway Gardens will lend a picturesque tableau to one of the most visible corners in downtown Westport. We are honored to be a part of Westport’s history and, now, its future.”
The Westport Beautification Committee and the Downtown Merchants Association are overseeing the project, which is expected to be completed in time for this year’s Westport Fine Arts Festival, July 16-17.
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On hand for the ceremony will be LaurelRock founders Dickson and Burt DeMarche, as well as Dickson's protegee designer Brian Westermeyer, who designed the "Gateway Gardens." Also attending will be First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, Downtown Merchants Association (DMA) President Bob LeRose and Westport Beautification Committee Chair Angela Trucks.
“It’s only fitting that LaurelRock’s Gateway Gardens will be unveiled during our Fine Arts Festival," LeRose, owner of Bobby Q’s BBQ & Grill, said. "This is an artistic endeavor that will endure for generations to come. We are extremely grateful to LaurelRock for its generosity.”
