ACA Memorial Park facts for kids
| Coordinates | 42°06′12″N 75°54′56″W / 42.10333°N 75.91556°W |
|---|---|
| Location | Binghamton, New York, United States |
| Designer | Madeleine Cotts, ICI-BCK |
| Fabricator | IBI-BCK and others |
| Beginning date | 2012 |
| Completion date | 2013 |
| Inauguration date | April 3, 2014 |
The ACA Memorial Park is a special public park and monument in downtown Binghamton, New York. You can find it where Clinton Street and Front Street meet. This park was built by a group of caring volunteers after a very sad event happened in Binghamton on April 3, 2009, at a place called the American Civic Association. The park helps remember the people who were lost and offers a peaceful place for everyone.
Contents
How the Park Began
The idea for the ACA Memorial Park started with two men, Omri Yigal and David Marsland. They both lost their wives in the sad event that happened in April 2009. Omri Yigal wanted to create a memorial garden at the American Civic Association. David Marsland was interested in working with other families who had lost loved ones.
After their first meeting, they reached out to other families and the American Civic Association. They wanted to gather a group to make this idea happen. Several meetings took place during the summer of 2009. Family members, people from the American Civic Association, city representatives, and local architects all joined in.
Mr. Marsland was asked to lead the efforts to raise money. It took almost four years to collect the nearly $230,000 needed for the park's final design. Madeleine Cotts, an architect from IBI-BCK Architects, was chosen to design the park. She also watched over its construction.
In late 2009, the American Civic Association decided to step back from the project. The reasons for this were not made public. The committee, now made up only of the families of the 13 people who were lost, then partnered with the City of Binghamton. This partnership allowed donations to the park to be tax-deductible. The City Council met in early 2010 to discuss the project. They approved a plan to create a special account for donations. These donations would help build the park on a city lot near the Clinton Street bridge.
Park Design and Location
The design of the park came directly from ideas suggested by the family members. They wanted special features to remember their loved ones.
These features include:
- A tall, 'broken' column, which stands for a life that ended too soon.
- Bird sculptures placed on posts. They look like a flock of birds being startled and flying away.
- Memorial plaques with words and pictures. Each family designed their own plaque.
- A garden surrounding the park with roses and evergreen plants. An existing tree at the site was also included.
The whole group wanted to create a unique and lasting tribute. When Madeleine Cotts showed her design in April 2010, everyone loved it.
Raising Money for the Park
At first, David Marsland and his mother, Amy, privately raised money. They made a list of foundations and sent out letters. The architectural team, David Young and Madeleine Cotts, gave them advice. The Raymond Foundation gave $5,000 to help pay for the design work.
An early donation came from Dr. Lee, who offered $60,000. This money covered the entire cost of the central column. After speaking at a Binghamton Rotary meeting, Mr. Marsland met David Alamo, a local businessman. Mr. Alamo offered to help expand the fundraising team. Mr. Marsland then reached out to Jeff Lake, a vice-president at NBT Bank. Mr. Alamo also brought in George Akel from Giant Family Markets. This larger team then contacted local businesses, people, and foundations. They worked hard to raise all the money needed to build the memorial.
Building the Park
By late 2012, more than $200,000 had been raised for construction. The City of Binghamton put out bids for the work, and local companies were chosen. Milon Townsend from Rochester, New York, was selected to create the special glass birds and the glass column.
The Park's Lasting Impact
Since it was built, the ACA Memorial Park has become a beloved landmark in Binghamton. Each year, people gather at the park to remember the tragedy. They lay flowers and take part in other activities. The original committee of family members still helps oversee the park. They work with the City of Binghamton, which donated the land for the memorial.
