Landscape Architect Articles

Alameda Police Officers' Memorial08-04-16 | Department

Alameda Police Officers' Memorial
Landscape Architecture by Gates + Associates of San Ramon

The design of Gates + Associates of San Ramon, Calif., for the Alameda Police Officers' Memorial included a short, picturesque walking path bordered by draught tolerant landscaping that leads to a memorial garden plaza with granite benches, a commemorative plaque, cut-metal signage and sand blasted concrete with the maxim "In Valor There is Hope." The bronze busts of the officers are by artist Lawrence Noble, and sit atop granite columns. LEDs were incorporated into the concrete paving and also illuminate the signage. Cold Spring Granite and Associated Lighting Representatives provided materials at cost.

Police take their lives in their hands when on duty. The Alameda Police Officer's Association, with the support of the city, constructed a memorial in front of the Police Administration Building on Santa Clara Avenue in honor of officers Deward Burton Gresham and Robert James Davey, Jr.

Alameda is adjacent to and south of Oakland, Calif., in the East Bay Area. Officer Gresham was attempting to make a traffic stop when a vehicle pulled in front of his motorcycle. He suffered a fatal head injury. He was 33. Robert James Davey, Jr. was shot and killed while carrying out a search warrant. He was also 33. He left behind a wife and four children.

The memorial was made possible via private funding, with Catellus and Doric Development, Bay Ship & Yacht, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and Alameda's Police and Fire unions as major donors. The Bay Area landscape architecture and urban design firm Gates + Associates of San Ramon felt a strong connection with the project's concept and was enthused to donate landscape architectural design services for the memorial site.

ADA requirements, height coordination of monuments, and lighting were among the site design challenges. The design had to honor the officers, yet still provide space to memorialize future fallen officers, without overtly conveying that more officers may be memorialized here. Starting with the Alameda Police Officers Association concept, Gates had a vital role of transforming this idea into a noteworthy and implementable design. Working in conjunction with the Alameda Police Department, the thoughtful design took eight months to finish and another two for construction. Gates' design included a short, picturesque walking path aligned by attractive landscaping that leads to a memorial garden plaza featuring granite seating benches, a commemorative plaque, cut metal signage and sand blasted concrete.

Gates designed engraved granite plinths with each officer's badge and name. The bronze busts are the design of Lawrence Noble. Noble also designed a stone monument with sculptures of mourning angels above the words "duty," "honor," and "sacrifice." The memorial faces Oak Street and the public library. It's an inviting public gathering place and garden for remembrance and reflection. As the officers depart the building to go on patrol in their cars and motorcycles, the memorial is in view and always an uncomfortable reminder of the dangers associated with their daily duties.

As seen in LASN magazine, August 2016.