Victims and survivors of domestic violence were memorialized here Wednesday when city officials broke ground for a different kind of "peace garden" in West Valley City Park, 4500 W. 3500 South.
The garden marks the first phase of a multiyear effort by the city's victim advocate program to remind local residents of the problems domestic violence poses to families and to the community.Construction of the half-acre peace garden and its 40-foot pavilion should be completed by late summer, depending on the success of fund-raising efforts, said Cindy Christensen, the city's victim advocate coordinator.
Construction on other mini-gardens honoring domestic violence victims will begin in each of the city's parks during the coming year, and a larger peace garden will be constructed in a different location by the year 2000.
The entire project is expected to take five years to complete.
"Every park will have a different theme," said Christensen. "The peace gardens will remind us of those who died and that we need to find an end to violence in our homes and communities.
"Each (garden) will represent the pathway of survival, and the several steps victims go through" to overcome the effects of domestic abuse, she added.
The mini-gardens will include benches, flowers, trees and a variety of statues depicting the different faces of domestic violence.
A fund-raising campaign to collect donations for the peace gardens project will get under way in November with a silent auction and other activities.
Wednesday's 7 p.m. ground- breaking ceremony included addresses by two domestic violence survivors, musical numbers and a candlelight memorial.
Those wishing to donate money or seeking additional information on the victim advocate program in West Valley City can contact Christensen at 963-3460.