August 2024 – Leadership Beatrice Orientation

October 2024 – Leadership Beatrice Overnight retreat was held where the idea of the Cancer Garden came to life!

November 2024 – Committees were formed and Southeast Community College was contacted about collaborating on a design opportunity for students.

March 2025 – Leadership Beatrice met with officials with the City of Beatrice to propose the idea.

April 2025 – SCC Landscape Design students presented Garden design.

April 2025 – City of Beatrice agreed to lease greenspace for the garden.

May 2025 – An MOU was signed between the City of Beatrice and the Beatrice Community Hospital Foundation.

August 2025 – The BCH Foundation partnered with Friesen Landscaping to complete the project.

November 2025 – Cancer Garden Groundbreaking

November 2025

After the groundbreaking, work began to prepare the site for the major structural elements of the Cancer Garden. Crews marked and dug pavilion footings, began framing for the concrete walkways, and started to pour the pavilion footings along with most concrete paths. All pavilion footings were inspected by the City of Beatrice to ensure safety regulations were met.

January 2026

January marked the start of visible vertical construction as work began on building the pavilion.

February 2026

Pergola was completed!

March 2026

March work focused on completing major infrastructure pieces across the garden. Electrical wires were trenched for light poles, a bubbling water feature, and outlet for the Pavilion.

April 2026

Students with Beatrice High School National Honor Society and Members of Leadership Beatrice Class 19 completed a trash pickup at the garden.

Work continues to focus on completing key functional and memorial elements of the garden. Crews continue installing the sprinkler system and drip irrigation for flower beds, ensuring long-term sustainability of the landscape. Benches and other memorial features will be ordered and set in place, allowing the garden to fully take shape as a meaningful space for reflection and remembrance.

May 2026

May will bring the garden to life with the planting of all remaining plants, shrubs, and trees. Crews will install additional drip irrigation, complete final grading, and finish seeding and irrigation work. These efforts will provide the final touches to the landscape, preparing the Cancer Garden for growth, beauty, and long-term care.

June 2026

All of the finishing touches will happen in June! Trees, plants, and final seeding and grading will complete phase 1 of the garden. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is sure to come!