• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Center for Community Solutions Announces Completion of Major Landscape Beautification Project at North County Shelter

Posted on: Tuesday, 22 April 2008, 09:00 CDT

Center for Community Solutions (CCS), a non-profit agency that offers a complete range of sexual assault and domestic violence prevention and intervention services, today announced the completion of a major landscape renovation project at its North County emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children. The project, which was spearheaded by the San Diego chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), encompassed the beautification of the shelter's grounds, including new trees, shrubs, potted plants, patios and outdoor furniture.

Following a recent renovation of the aging shelter, which was profiled on KGTV/10 News' "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," donations were sought to replace a large tree that once provided much-needed shade in a children's play area, until it was struck by lightning. The local ASLA chapter, which provided a $2,500 grant, led the beautification effort, aided by community leaders, including Mintz Levin, an international law firm with offices in San Diego; Big Trees Nursery, which specializes in large specimen trees; and Brickman Group, a leading national landscape contractor.

According to Chris Gustard, past president of the San Diego chapter of the ASLA, senior project manager for Gillespie Moody Patterson Inc. and project lead/landscape architect for the CCS project, a groundswell of enthusiasm from local companies and organizations enabled the team to not only replace the fallen tree, but to replace it with a thirty foot tall, 75-year old Coast Live Oak from Big Trees Nursery and to completely renovate the grounds with a wide variety of native trees, plants, shrubs and outdoor furniture. "The local landscape industry and CCS supporters banded together to provide funding, products and services helping to create a welcoming, beautiful outdoor environment that matches the wonderfully refurbished interiors," he says. "Thanks to our generous community donors and ASLA member companies, we were able to contribute and give back to the community landscaped and upgraded grounds at the shelter where families are seeking a fresh start in a nurturing home environment"

The completion of the project, which honors National Landscape Architecture Month as well as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, required the hard work and dedication of community partners, including Big Trees Nursery, Brickman Group, Pardee Tree Nursery, Armstrong Nursery, Coast Recreation, Gillespie Moody Patterson Inc., Horizon Crane Company, John Deere Landscapes, Monrovia Growers, Quick Crete Products Corp., Decorative Stone Solutions, BMLA Landscape Architects and Simplot Partners.

"Center for Community Solutions is so grateful for all the hard work and contributions of our landscape and community partners in refurbishing the North County shelter's grounds," says Verna Griffin-Tabor, executive director of CCS. "The initial project to replace a stricken tree grew into a major landscape makeover, which now gives shelter residents and their families an opportunity to begin their healing process in a completely renovated home, surrounded by beautiful plants and trees."

As the only rape crisis center in the City of San Diego and a major provider of sexual assault and domestic violence services throughout the county for more than 38 years, CCS helps more than 27,000 local residents each year.

About Center for Community Solutions:

Founded in 1969, Center for Community Solutions, assists more than 27,000 women, men and children affected by sexual assault and domestic violence each year. CCS operates the only Rape Crisis Center in the City of San Diego along with a 24-hour bilingual crisis helpline as well as hospital and court accompaniment services for rape survivors. CCS provides two 24-hour emergency shelter and transitional housing programs for victims of domestic violence and their children.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category