Blending creativity and craftsmanship, the award-winning “Garden of the Empty Tomb” at Alto-Reste Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania reveals new options for building meaningful and lasting legacies through hardscaping.
A Vision Brought to Life
The “Garden of the Empty Tomb” was conceptualized by Geoff Behrens, Alto Reste’s general manager, who envisioned a memorial garden replicating the Jesus’ Empty Tomb, a significant element in Christian tradition.
Behrens wanted the wall to look like ancient Israel with 12 monoliths to symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel and columbariums in the 325-foot-long wall where people can be laid to rest. With the rise in cremations, this garden was designed to provide a sacred space for people’s loved ones.
Richard Kerr Jr., President of Kerr Landscaping and Maintenance Inc., was challenged to bring this special vision to life.
“Whenever you’re doing a project, you’re trying to build a selling point that people will come and buy into. So, whenever you’re creating something like this, it has to be something that whenever somebody walks in and they see it, it’s like, ‘I’m sold on this. This is awesome. This is where I want to be,’” Kerr said.
“A project like this, I mean, you’re dealing with thousands of people that this will be their last resting place.”
Kerr said the original plan called for temporary walls that would be removed and reinstalled in different phases. Then he remembered the Outcropping wall system product line from Rosetta Hardscapes and producer R.I. Lampus. It replicates the look and beauty of natural stone while still having the installation efficiencies of precast concrete products. Kerr thought it would get the right look while also being more cost-effective in the long run.
“The success of this project was really based on the contractor, Richard, really identifying the problem and the need of the customer and positioning a product that he thought was the right fit,” said Gerry Garcia, business consultant for project and construction strategy for Rosetta Hardscapes. “It really tells the story of what our product can achieve well beyond its aesthetic value. We’re very unique. It has an opportunity to fit certain needs that other products can’t.”
Redefining What is Possible
Projects like this require more than technical skill; they demand a vision and the ability to consider creative options to bring that vision to life. Kerr advises hardscaping newcomers to immerse themselves in the industry, learn from seasoned professionals, and embrace different opportunities.
“Be working with somebody that does do it and get some experience on working on a project of that size. You gotta be around it to do it,” he said.
For those considering a career in hardscaping, “Garden of the Empty Tomb” is a compelling reminder of the industry’s potential to craft spaces that are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful.
“The sky’s the limit with where hardscaping can go and the projects that can be entertained to be built,” Kerr said. “We are always striving to do something bigger and better and cooler. I use the word ‘cool’ because the project was so cool for us to be involved in. There’s nothing else like it that I’m aware of.”
A Prestigious Recognition
“The Garden of the Empty Tomb” was recognized at the 2024 Hardscape North America (HNA) for Best Commercial Retaining Wall.
“It was getting recognition locally. But to be able to put it at HNA, to win – that was phenomenal,” Garcia said. “…It’s really recognizing and really putting the spotlight on the guys that make our product what it is and make it look as good as it does.”
Garcia said it was emotionally touching to see Kerr and his team win the award. For his part, Kerr said it was an “once in a lifetime” dream.
“I was quite honored to be there. To have a town as little as our own in that running, I was quite honored to be involved even in the conversation. And then we got lucky enough to win,” Kerr said.
“I don’t think you can get much higher of an award in the hardscaping business than that award. If there is something out there bigger than that HNA award, I don’t know about it. It’s a pretty big deal for us. I accomplished something in my lifetime that not many people will.”