Zack Anderson, a 15-year-old sophomore at Geneseo Central School and a member of Troop 4070, created a memorial garden for
cremation burials at Temple Hill Cemetery.
He envisioned a park-like setting with
walkways and a sitting area with a bench. The entrance and walkways
would be paved, with flowers and plantings accenting the entrance.
Anderson’s proposed sketch of the project was unanimously supported by
the cemetery’s board and approval was granted to begin.
Anderson, along with fellow Scouts and friends, started the project August 11. They had three days to excavate a 344-square-foot-area to a depth of 4 feet. It was a difficult dig due to roots and stones but thanks to all of his helpers the site was ready. One of the contractors at the site estimated a cost of $7,000 if the cemetery had contracted the work out to a landscape company.
Al’s Landscaping of Lakeville donated the Geo-fabric, bedding sand and equipment usage for the project, Northern Nurseries of Fairport and the Alliance Company, a Canadian-based manufacturer, donated a new Gater Base product, which eliminates the need for stone, and Techo Bloc of Pittsburgh donated the pavers.
Temple Hill Cemetery Superintendent Dick Gallivan praised Zach for his leadership in this project. He said that it would add about 70 cremation burial sites in a very attractive setting surrounded by flowers. Also, it will provide a more inexpensive alternative than purchasing a full size plot for a cremation burial.
