🔥 How It All Started

Through York XL’s unique model of community engagement, we learned something important: the 25 gardens that make up the Broad Street Greenway had been installed in the 2000s without community input. In dozens of conversations with neighbors who live adjacent to the Greenway, many expressed frustration and hurt — feelings that lingered more than a decade later. When we asked what they wanted from the gardens today, the overwhelming response was clear: "They should be maintained — but we shouldn't be expected to do it alone."

So, we got to work.

While walking the Greenway, we also noticed there was no public marker or memorial recognizing the tragic fire that took the lives of Ivan and Zach, in a building that stood right next to the Greenway. The opportunity was clear: this could be a space where community ownership, healing, and the honoring of two heroes could intersect.

We approached the then–Fire Chief, who agreed to seek the blessing of Ivan and Zach’s families. With their full support — and ongoing partnership — the memorial was born. The families and fire department were involved every step of the way and continue to show up to maintain the space. In fact, they took the lead in installing the memorial's heaviest physical elements, including the two brick patio sections that now anchor the site.

Throughout this process, we hosted eight neighborhood BBQs and led dozens of door-knocking campaigns to invite input and build trust. We asked neighbors what they wanted to see in the memorial gardens. The most common response: that they be well-maintained — and a clear preference that benches not be included, due to concerns about vagrancy.

To honor that request, we installed large boulders in two of the gardens. These offer resting places for senior citizens and walkers, without sending the wrong invitation.

York XL stepped in with a vision to not only care for the gardens, but to transform them into places where beauty, bravery, and belonging could grow.