We are honored with being selected to design the memorial to honor the victims of the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy. With our office so close to the parade route, we were impacted by the events, and wanted our design to illustrate the strength of our community with everybody coming together in the days and weeks after the incident. The individual concrete ribbons, each representing one of the lives lost in the tragedy, weave through the park and come together to form a central heart.
Jeremy D. Bartlett, Firm Principal
November 21, 2024 we had the privilege of visiting the Grede Park Memorial site. It was an honor to witness the dedication and hard work of the Thrive Architects team, VJS Construction, and Cost of Wisconsin, along with countless others who came together to create this remarkable park and memorial ground.
The six lives lost three years ago will never be forgotten. This memorial stands as a testament to the strength and unity of the Waukesha community in the face of tragedy. May this park serve as a place of healing and a space where hearts can unite forever.
"I just wanted to reach out as a Waukesha resident after driving past the Grede Park to say thank you Thrive for your work on this project. That day at the parade was (as you know) extremely traumatizing for so many and this memorial site will be such a beautiful addition to the community and (I believe) will help many."
- Brad Dezek