As the season changed from long, warm sunny days to short, cold ones, the Landscaping Division embarked on one final construction project before the onset of the winter season.

Situated on a parcel of land that once housed the All-Wars Memorial building at States and Pacific avenues, a former vacant lot has been transformed into a beautifully manicured park (left).

Completed in late-November, the new park features a seven-zone irrigation system, 586 perennials and grasses, 16 blue spruce trees, four flowering pear trees, eight evergreen trees, three weeping willow trees and 70 evergreen shrubs. 4,000 square feet of bluegrass sod and 66 cubic yards of black-dyed mulch keep the park green and attractive.

Work began in mid-October by spreading 16 loads of fill soil throughout the lot. The concrete footing for the walls then was built and landscape block added on top. A concrete pad was poured to support the installation of a wooden gazebo. 1,130 square feet of 4" concrete was installed for the winding sidewalk leading from the street to the gazebo. 250 square feet of brick pavers were laid around the sidewalk areas too. A ribboncutting ceremony officially opened the park on Friday, November 22.

In order to ensure that the city's sports fields are in prime playing condition, the Landscaping Division rented a turf tractor and Vicon spreader (right) to spread more than 75 tons of sand throughout Dolphin Field in the Chelsea Heights neighborhood.

(Below) - 2002 Landscaping Division: Top (left to right) - Hassan Kirk, Joe Ridlou, Lonzie Weather, Anthony Richardson, Kevin Watson, John Donatucci, Cornelius Cherry, Barry Waller and Joe Cornish. Middle (left to right) - James Graves, Nate Russell, Reg Sease, Fareed Abdir Rahim, Keith Austin, Michael McLaughlin, Reggie Guion, Angel Torres and Bryan Ancar. Front (left to right) - Jim Lawlor, Maurice Cherry, TeJohn Cooper, Jon Bitzer, Demetrius Hamlett and Bob Williams.