Highland Park designers advance nature-based Rose Garden plan; water feature raises costs above $2 million

Designers presented a refined, nature-based concept for Highland Park’s Place of Remembrance Rose Garden on June 8, describing a winding central garden framed by trees, seven private niches for reflection and a council ring that nods to the site’s history.

The meeting’s presenters said the preferred option—favored by community surveys and listening sessions—prioritizes accessibility, year-round planting and private niches that are not individually named. “Every voice contributed to shaping what comes next,” Christian, the project brand strategist, said as staff reviewed engagement methods and results.

The design team positioned two cost scenarios before the committee. Landscape architect Ben Waldo said the project without a water feature is estimated at roughly $1.3–$1.7 million with a conservative 25% contingency. “Based on recent discussions with some water feature engineers, we were surprised at the escalation in cost,” he said, explaining an add-alternate for a water feature would increase the opinion of probable cost to about $2.25–$2.8 million.

The cost gap prompted discussion among council members about tradeoffs. Several members argued that water contributes an important sensory and reflective experience and should be pursued; others recommended fiscal caution and endorsed including the water feature as an itemized add alternate in bid documents so the city can compare market pricing before committing. Designer staff recommended preparing schematic construction documents and bidding both base and add-alternate scopes.

Design details that drew broad support include: retaining the seven niches but placing the seven victims’ names together on stone panels at a reflective terminus rather than assigning names to individual niches; adding a continuous walking loop around the garden to reduce overlap through private spaces; and planting 48 upright trees as symbolic framing for those who were injured. The team noted accessibility and maintenance priorities—smooth, shovelable surfaces, stabilized gravel options for informal paths, ADA connections to City Hall and the path to St. John’s, and materials chosen for long-term upkeep.

Council members also discussed cultural accommodations and interpretation: bilingual narrative panels (English and Spanish), intentional lighting so niches remain legible and dignified at night, and design details that allow visitors to leave small tokens while keeping the memorial’s integrity. Designers said they will present schematic documents to the Historic Preservation Commission in about two weeks and then refine cost estimates with a construction manager once hired.

Procedural note: designers recommended advancing schematic design and returning with itemized bid documents that separate the water feature as an add alternate so council can evaluate bids before making a firm funding decision.