Lewiston-Auburn Memorial Gardens Double in Size in Third Year
Artist Tanja Hollander's flower plantings have expanded to Lewiston's Maine Mill, Oxford Street and Cross Street sites, with blooms expected in spring.
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A network of memorial flower gardens in Lewiston and Auburn created for the 18 people killed in the Oct. 25, 2023, shootings has doubled in size since its first season, WGME reported.
Artist Tanja Hollander started the "I Love You" Gardens as a combination of memorial, public art and city beautification. In the first year, roughly 50 volunteers put 1,500 bulbs and more than 100 plants in the ground in Lewiston and at Bonney Park in Auburn. New plots have since been added at Lewiston's Maine Mill, Oxford Street and Cross Street.
Hollander holds planting days once a month during the growing season, with the final session of the season timed to the third anniversary of the shootings. The project's name refers to the American Sign Language sign for "I love you," chosen in recognition of deaf and hard of hearing residents affected by the attack.
The aim, Hollander said, is to turn sites tied to loss into places of beauty and connection. "Flowers are very healing," she said.
The newest plantings are expected to flower in spring, and Hollander said she intends to add more garden sites in coming years.
This story was first reported by fox23maine.com.
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