For almost 30 years, the Belzer Garden at the Jewish Community Campus has provided the community a place to honor, remember and appreciate their loved ones. Named after David (Dave) Belzer, the executive director of The J KC - Jewish Community Center from 1984 until his passing in 1992, the Belzer Garden is located outside the new Fitness & Sports entrance at The J along the path to the outdoor pools.
The garden was installed on the Jewish Community Campus in 1993, approximately a year after Belzer’s passing, initially as a way to memorialize and honor Belzer himself, who was a prominent figure at The J for more than three decades. Since the installation, the garden has grown to include hundreds of brick pavers purchased by members of the community to mark an occasion or remember loved ones.
Years of wear from foot traffic and inclement weather have damaged much of the landscaping and caused many of the pavers and concrete to deteriorate or break. Therefore, The J will soon embark on a refresh to the Belzer Garden and its surrounding area.
“After nearly thirty years, it’s time we show some love to the Belzer Garden — an important and meaningful space on our campus,” said Jim Sluyter, president & CEO of The J. “We’re excited for this project to refresh the overall look of the garden to honor not only Dave’s legacy but the legacy of so many others memorialized in the garden.”
The construction project includes a new sidewalk around the garden, extending the garden outward toward the sidewalk by three feet, relocating some of the pavers in damaged parts of the garden and refreshed landscaping and irrigation. The J will provide a map of the pavers being relocated so people can easily find their paver(s) in the refreshed space.
“We know that these pavers are very special to the people who have purchased them over the years,” said Dave Roesler, project manager. “Those that are moved will be treated with the utmost care and respect.”
Construction is expected to take between six and eight weeks and is scheduled to begin shortly after Labor Day.
“We feel honored and privileged to be able to maintain this beautiful space for the community,” Sluyter said. “I invite you to come take a stroll in the beautifully refreshed garden this fall – it’s a wonderful spot to reflect and feel grateful.”
Anyone interested is welcome to purchase a paver in the Belzer Garden to remember a loved one, to commemorate a birthday, wedding, anniversary, birth, bar or bat mitzvah, or graduation; or to convey a loving message to a spouse, partner, child(ren) or grandchild(ren).
Pavers are tax-deductible and are offered in various sizes starting at $180. A portion of the purchase of each paver is set aside to support scholarships and other initiatives designed to provide wellness, meaning, and joy to the greater Kansas City community.
Visit www.thejkc.org/belzergarden for additional information, or contact Allison DeWitt at 913-327-8001 or with questions.
