Friends and family will gather at Alpha Resource Center, 4501 Cathedral Oaks Road, on December 21, 10:30am, to break ground on the Ugo L. Melchiori Imagine Park, in memory of Ugo L. Melchiori, builder and beloved Santa Barbara resident who passed away on December 12, 2009.
“December 21 would have been Mr. Melchiori’s 70th birthday,” said Kim Olson, Executive Director at Alpha Resource Center. “It is fitting to break ground on the next phase of the ULM Imagine Park at Alpha Resource Center. We are inspired by the Melchiori family’s interest and support of children and adults with developmental disabilities.”
Imagine Park will be an outdoor education and event center serving both the needs of participants at Alpha and the broader community. Development of the part evolved over the past year, and Phase I was completed with the installation of over 100 fruit trees in June.
Phase II includes the installation of new walkways, additional parking, and boxed gardens (which Ugo loved) with plantings of roses and lavender. Donations made in memory of Mr. Melchiori, as well as support from the entire Melchiori Family an Melchiori Construction Company, are making the park possible. Additional support will be sought to complete Phase III.
The public are invited to honor and celebrate the legacy of at this opening event. Mark and Linda Melchiori, Ugo’s son and wife, and Alpha’s Executive Director Kim Olson will speak briefly in remembrance. After ground is broken by Ugo’s friends, refreshments will be served.