North Brentwood Memorial Garden
This project began in late 2002 when two volunteer landscape architects, Meredith Byer and Keely Lauretti of Loiederman Soltesz Associates Inc. worked pro bono to produce plans for the garden. In addition, volunteers from NDC and Gateway Community Development Corporation worked to get funding for the project, leverage in-kind donations, and bring together volunteers. In turn, $25,000 was donated by the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources 'Open Space Program'. The remaining $30,000 was given by Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation. These monies covered the cost of site clearance, pathways, seating areas, and the monument. All trees, plants, and mulch were donated by the Prince George's County Livable Communities Initiative Gorgeous Prince George's Day Program. 
Over the course of 5 years many community volunteers from the County came together on 20 different occasions to weed, plant, and mulch the site. This project could never have been accomplished without the help of all of these NDC volunteers. We would like to extend a thank you to all of the volunteers, especially those from Loiderman Soltesz and Associates Inc.
and the Youth Group of Largo Community Church.
After 5 years of research, collecting, planning, and fundraising, the Memorial Garden was finally complete. For NDC's Program Manager, Jan Townshend, and former Mayor, Lillian K. Beverly, who both led the effort, it was well worth it. Originally purchased by Captain Wallace Bartlett and settled by Maryland's Six Colored Regiments during the Civil War and Reconstruction, the town has since been the home to service men and women who have served in the military during World Wars I and II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Gulf War, and the present day War in Iraq. Although not easy to implement, it was very important to document the dedication of these residents and provide a lasting memorial to recognize their service. NDC staff felt strongly that this story needed to be told.
NDC and the Town of North Brentwood unveiled the North Brentwood Memorial Garden on Saturday, July 14th, 2007. The garden is dedicated to the town's men and women who have served in the armed forces since the Civil War. This small town of less than 500 people has documented 244 individuals who have served their country. The sculptural bas reliefs on the granite memorial honor their service. North Brentwood is the first incorporated African American town in Prince George's County, Maryland and the Washington D.C. metropolitan region. Crowds of residents and local officials came out to dedicate the memorial garden in a dignified, hour long ceremony. Everyone was delighted with the outcome of this project.
Project Completion:
2007
Project Location: 3900 Block of Allison Street North Brentwood, MD
NDC Volunteer Landscape Architects: Meredith Byer and Keely Lauretti, Loiederman Soltesz Associates Inc.
Links: "North Brentwood Garden Dedicated in Honor of African-American Veterans." The Gazette