It was my privilege to accompany Gold Elite Yelper Gary I as he honored the wishes of his partner by scattering his ashes in the Garden of Peace and Love. Tucked away between the Coast Inn and the beach, the Garden began as a final resting place for those who had passed away during a time when the world was experiencing another horrible pandemic without a cure: the AIDS epidemic. Filled with angels and mememtos, and with a stunning view of the Pacific, it would be hard to imagine a lovelier final resting spot. Thank you, Gary, for allowing me to participate in this ritual of celebration and remembrance. And thank you to those who maintain this lovely Garden. Peace and love to all.
Jul 2020
AIDS Memorial Garden also known as Garden of Peace & Love was a lovechild of long term Laguna Beach habituè, Michel Martenay, who succumbed to the disease in 2009 after tending the garden for 20 years. His inspiration to create the garden was to honor those sufferIng from AIDS which at that time had no real, effective treatments. Many people came to take in the tranquility of the garden which has a bench for contemplation as well as cherub, angel, Buddha statues. This garden after the untimely death of Mr. Martenay was neglected and deserted. The City of Laguna Beach was notified by concerned citizens about the decline, and the city took it upon itself to maintain the garden. Many people have placed ashes of their loved ones at this pocket sized blue sky, sun lit, sea breeze memorial that looks out onto the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. My main purpose in coming here was also to honor my partner who recently passed away since he asked to be partly placed in the Garden which is located below the Boom Boom Room located in the Coast Inn where he spent his youth dancing and cruising joyfully into the wee hours in the late 1970's & 1980's. One can hear the surf and children playing on the beach in the sanctity of the Garden. Thank you Mr. Martenay for creating a peaceful space, and thanks to City of Laguna Beach for maintaining the garden. Special thanks to super Yelper Isobel L. for accompanying me on this sojourn.
Google: 5/5
It was my privilege to accompany Gold Elite Yelper Gary I as he honored the wishes of his partner by scattering his ashes in the Garden of Peace and Love. Tucked away between the Coast Inn and the beach, the Garden began as a final resting place for those who had passed away during a time when the world was experiencing another horrible pandemic without a cure: the AIDS epidemic. Filled with angels and mememtos, and with a stunning view of the Pacific, it would be hard to imagine a lovelier final resting spot. Thank you, Gary, for allowing me to participate in this ritual of celebration and remembrance. And thank you to those who maintain this lovely Garden. Peace and love to all.
AIDS Memorial Garden also known as Garden of Peace & Love was a lovechild of long term Laguna Beach habituè, Michel Martenay, who succumbed to the disease in 2009 after tending the garden for 20 years. His inspiration to create the garden was to honor those sufferIng from AIDS which at that time had no real, effective treatments. Many people came to take in the tranquility of the garden which has a bench for contemplation as well as cherub, angel, Buddha statues. This garden after the untimely death of Mr. Martenay was neglected and deserted. The City of Laguna Beach was notified by concerned citizens about the decline, and the city took it upon itself to maintain the garden. Many people have placed ashes of their loved ones at this pocket sized blue sky, sun lit, sea breeze memorial that looks out onto the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. My main purpose in coming here was also to honor my partner who recently passed away since he asked to be partly placed in the Garden which is located below the Boom Boom Room located in the Coast Inn where he spent his youth dancing and cruising joyfully into the wee hours in the late 1970's & 1980's. One can hear the surf and children playing on the beach in the sanctity of the Garden. Thank you Mr. Martenay for creating a peaceful space, and thanks to City of Laguna Beach for maintaining the garden. Special thanks to super Yelper Isobel L. for accompanying me on this sojourn.