Description of Richard & Annette Bloch

Cancer Survivor Parks

Bakersfield, CA: Built entirely with volunteer labor and donations, this attractive park is located at a busy intersection in the corner of a major park. It contains the sculpture, computer and positive mental attitude walk. The concrete work is a replica of slate and is extremely attractive. While the park is simple and small, it accomplishes its purpose.

Baltimore, MD: Located at the gateway to Towson, the Baltimore County seat, adjacent to Town Center Mall and Nordstrom's, this 1.6 acre site is surrounded by residential and office towers. Ten precast columns ranging from 34 to 12 feet in height are connected by an angled Positive Mental Attitude walk, symbolizing how the path to recovery may take many different directions as the individual senses victory over the disease. A curved trellis directs one's focus to the sculpture and provides meditation stations radiating from this central theme. A beautiful waterfall and pool symbolize cleansing and healing.

 
Chicago, IL: On Lake Shore Drive in Grant Park, this is the largest and most visible Park to date. All Northbound traffic on Lake Shore Drive is looking straight up this park. At the top are two giant granite columns over 40' tall with a wrought iron entrance. It is a division of paths forming the positive mental attitude walk and containing 16 giant vases with a series of steps to the computer. Compromises were made because of the great location.

Cleveland, OH: Located in University Circle on the East side of Cleveland, this handsome park includes a 50 foot tall handsomely carved brick Celebration Column containing the computer inside the base and is surrounded by the Celebration Plaza. The Positive Mental Attitude Walk is comprised of a semicircular trellis which embraces the Celebration Columns on the south side of the site. To the north, the visitor descends by a set of twin curving ramps from the Celebration Plaza, past a colorful flowering bed to the sculpture. The site is 1.8 acres at the end of an area in the large park with high traffic going on 3 sides of it.

Columbia, SC: This graceful Southern garden is located along Blossom Street in Maxcy Gregg Park near the University of South Carolina. The park features a large, front fountain containing five jets that spray high into the air. The refinished white arbor is the centerpiece of the garden where bricks honor those who have fought the cancer battle. The garden contains eight white arbor swings and ten Charleston-style benches which encircle bubbling fountains and a labyrinth which is used as a meditative, healing tool. A musical wind chime and stately oak trees complete the calm and healing environment.

Columbus, OH: Built on the extremely busy corner of Olentangy and Lane on the grounds of Ohio State University and the bank of the Olentangy River, this is the only Park to date not built through the local park department. This site was far superior to the ones offered by the local park department. In addition to the 3 features, a large round structure houses a 5,000 pound granite ball revolving in water in a granite base. The ball will continue to revolve in whatever direction it is going unless a person stops it and gives it a slight push in a different direction. It will then continue in that direction. A plaque states, "This granite ball will constantly turn. By touching it with one finger and pushing it in a different direction, it will turn in the new direction. Cancer is a huge mass constantly in motion. Possibly with a little personal intervention it is possible to change the direction of that motion."

Dallas, TX: In downtown on Bryan Street from Pearl to Olive Streets,this attractive park with very high visibility has three enclosed overpasses crossing over it connecting the modern buildings across from it in each direction. Handsome aluminum trellises set off the sculpture, positive mental attitude walk and computer. A 5,000 pound revolving granite ball and fountains are additional features.

Houston, TX: The Cancer Survivors Plaza in Houston is located between Main and Fannin on a small, one acre, triangle at the tip of Hermann Park, directly across from the Meekham Fountain and the Warwick Hotel. The focal point is a gazebo with a fountain in the center. The columns of the gazebo and the surrounding perimeter, (The Positive Mental Attitude Walk), are magnificently carved stone columns connected with wrought iron. The roof of the gazebo is made of 3,000 hand-wrought iron leaves covered with 2,000 tiny lights.

Indianapolis, IN: Located on a triangle of about 1 1/2 acres surrounded by Indiana Avenue, 10th Street and University Avenue in a commercial area across from the University of Indiana-Purdue. 2 parking lots are available on University which is the "entrance plaza". From this point a concrete ramp (the PMA walk) climbs gradually, with the computer in the center, to the sculpture set on an elevated round platform. A structure over the entrance plaza, computer and ramp extend to a very tall concave sign over the sculpture with "Cancer Survivors Park" in extremely large letters. This faces probably 40% of the enormous traffic. In addition, a sign is at each of the 3 corners.

Jacksonville, FL: On the grounds of the Florida Community College at Jacksonville on a high traffic intersection, this is possible the most unique park to date. The focal point is 5 large bridges, replicas of those crossing the St. John's river in Jacksonville. It is extremely attractive, well laid out and interesting to visit.
Kansas City, MO: Located 2 blocks west of the Country Club Plaza in the geographical center of the metropolitan area on the northbound Southwest Trafficway (Roanoke Boulevard) bounded by 47th and 48th Streets. Approximately 2 acres. Entrance on the North at the Acceptance Plaza with its obelisk structure symbolizing a gathering point. Passing through the Positive Mental Attitude walk (PMA) to the Arch of Triumph which is meant as a transition to being in charge of one's own life. From here, two ceremonial ramps, signifying that life rolls out the red carpet for those who change their existence into living, descend into the the Garden of Names, where one can recall the names of many who have fought and conquered the disease. The final destination point at 48th Street is the Celebration Plaza with the sculpture in the center with a circular arbor behind it to frame it. Large signs at both corners announce the Park to an extremely heavy traffic count.

Minneapolis, MN: This Park sits on a 1.5-acre site at the north end of Nicolett Mall. The park takes the full expanse in front of the former Federal Reserve Bank. Cancer Survivors Park in front of the new Marquette Plaza office building offers the only public park in downtown Minneapolis. A fountain highlights the multilevel garden beds. .

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada:This park is our first in Canada and was built through the cooperation of the eight Mississauga Rotary Clubs, the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation and the Carlo Fidani Peel Regional Cancer Centre. The initiative started as the centennial celebration project of the Rotary Clubs and is now a welcomed site for the people of Mississauga as well as all the patients who visit for cancer treatments from throughout the Ontario province. The park was designed by Patrick Li, EDA Collaborative Inc. The added feature attraction is a magnificent sculpture entitled Emergence, donated by internationally acclaimed local artist Editt Davidovici. The park is located on Erin Mills Parkway just north of Highway 403. This park was dedicated in June 2006
New Orleans, LA: Located on the median strip in Loyola Avenue between Poydras and Girod Streets in a beautiful new section of downtown and across from the Poydras Plaza Shopping Center, this is the most attractive and unique of all the parks to date or on the drawing board. Proceeding from one end there is an Arch of Triumph with the computer inside and a frieze of tiles made by children with cancer representing their feelings about the disease. Next is the sculpture at a point where thousands of pedestrians cross from the stadium to parking followed by the PMA walk consisting of 14 carved stone, brick and steel columns over 20 feet tall, each different and representing an age or civilization. One was done by a local artist and represents New Orleans. At the end, after a beautiful flower display is a fountain in the shape of the earth. Benches are available and plaques explain the various features. Surrounded with beautiful flowers and with signs facing traffic at both ends, there is no doubt this is the most elaborate Cancer Survivors Park to date.
Omaha, NE: Located at 105th and Pacific Avenue, on a high traffic thoroughfare in an upscale residential and commercial area is approximately 2 acres. While Omaha is less than 1 million metropolitan population, city officials wanted the park so badly that we acquiesced and built a beautiful park on a substantially reduced budget. The focal point is a Tower of Light consisting of 14 tall stainless columns in the shape of two "v's" with the points together. A long arbor containing the PMA walk transits from the sculpture at the corner to the Tower with the computer between the tower and the arbor. Beautiful colored flowers abound during the spring, summer and fall. Large signs face the traffic at each corner on Pacific.
Phoenix, AZ: Dedicated March 6, 1999, located in the divider of First Street from Willetta to McDowell Road, in the center of the city between the New Central Library and the Phoenix Art Museum. Featuring elegant desert landscaping set off by a tall colorful tiled obelisk centered in a fountain. The park is intended as a revolving show case for large sculptures.
Rancho Mirage, CA: Located on a 2 acre strip between Highway 111 and a mountain in the geographical center of the Coachella Valley, this is one of the most attractive and appealing of all the parks. The focal point is a pyramid with the statement, "PYRAMID POWER - It is believed that each basic geometric shape has therapeutic powers, with the pyramid topping the list. A myriad of curative powers have been ascribed to pyramids. They surround their inhabitants emitting psychic energy that causes all sorts of miracles. You are within the form of a pyramid." A beautiful waterfall comes down the side of the mountain into a peaceful pool containing two of the other 6 geometric shapes. 3 benches created by the outstanding artist, Marlo Bartels, adorn the site. The bronze plaques of the positive mental attitude walk are framed in heavy bronze and individually illuminated with low voltage lamps.
Sacramento, CA: Dedicated on December 1, 2002, this park is located on the corner of Second Avenue and Stockton Boulevard on land donated by the University of California Davis Medical Center. The park sits in front of the Cancer Treatment Center and is dedicated to all cancer patients and survivors in the Sacramento area.
San Diego, CA:This Park is located on Spanish Landing in San Diego, California. The Park was developed by the Port of San Diego Arts Commission and sits on two acres of grassy tidelands overlooking the yacht marinas of Harbor Island. Flanking the plaza, two curving walkways comprise the Positive Mental Attitude Walk. Fabric stretched on tensioned cables provides a shapely awning over the walkways that is evocative of the sailboats in the nearby harbor and the sail-like tension structure atop the San Diego Convention Center. Park was designed by Michael Kiner and the mosaics by Marlo Bartels.

Santa Rosa, CA: On a major street on the edge of downtown, this attractive park dedicated October 17, 1999, has attractive landscape and plantings with a large fountain as a focal point behind the sculpture and lined with plaques.

Tampa, FL: This Life Celebration Plaza is situated on the edge of Al Lopez Park across from Raymond James Stadium and Legends Field. The park is at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and Dale Mabry Highway. The Plaza begins at the north end with the raised sculpture platform, "Understanding Cancer". The central platform is a 13-foot cone shaped stone monument encircled by a 24-foot suspended aluminum "Halo" supporting 48 individual pieces of artwork. The journey continues along the Road to Recovery. Adjacent to the path, 4 massive grass "waves" symbolize the challenges that must be confronted. The waves range in height from 4 feet to 15 feet and appear graceful and inviting from a distance; but, when you get closer, you begin to realize that their steep face cannot easily be scaled and overcoming them will require courage, wisdom, and stamina. At the end of the Road to Recovery you will find the heart of the project, a large outdoor room where life is celebrated. Here everything stimulates your senses to be alive. The Plaza is encircled by a 120 foot in diameter walk which is surrounded by 14 additional plaques encouraging us to survive. The walk on one half of the Plaza is covered by a simple arc shaped aluminum trellis covered with bougainvillea; the other half of the walk is shaded by date palm trees. The space is enclosed by a Living Wall planted with native dwarf gamma grass which sways, peacefully separating the space from the noise of the adjacent road. Rising out of the center of the Plaza is a 60 foot tall cable and fabric sculpture of 6 sails rotating around a single mast. The sail is lit at night to be a beacon of hope calling people into the Plaza.

Tucson, AZ: This park is located within Gene C. Reid Park on the northeast corner of 22nd Street and Lakeshore Lane. The major element in the design is a monumentally scaled, steel shade structure ornamented by laser-cut panels featuring motifs inspired by native Sonoran Desert flora. The complex play of light and shadow cast by the cutouts changes hourly as the sun moves through the day and seasonally with the changing angles of sunlight. The visitor's perception of the space is noticeably altered over the course of even a short visit. And he or she can return again and again never seeing quite the same Plaza. Placed under a large, round opening in the shade structure canopy is a three-tiered water feature that flows into the center. There a simple bubbler dances in the changing light causing the sound of murmuring water to echo off the surrounding metal columns. The fountain is further enhanced by an exquisite display of colorful tile.

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