Work begins on Beatrice Community Cancer Garden
Work has begun on what many believe will become a true southeast Nebraska gem.
By News Channel NebraskaBEATRICE, Neb. - Work has begun on what many believe will become a true southeast Nebraska gem.
The Beatrice Cancer Garden, set to open in June of 2026, is in the early phases after breaking ground last week. Shelby Watson is the Director of the Beatrice Community Hospital Foundation and says the goal of the cancer garden is simple.
“To memorialize loves ones that have been impacted by cancer, those that are still with us, and those that lost the battle to cancer,” Watson said.
The idea began in Watson’s Leadership Beatrice group and Watson says the hospital foundation as quick to step in to help. The garden will be located at 2nd and Ella Streets in a nine acre green space. City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer says it’s a quality use of an underused part of the city.
“The City of Beatrice is very excited about this project,” Tempelmeyer said. “This area is kind of underutilized, so we were able to partner with the hospital to redevelop the facility which will go nicely with our work on Ella St.”
Design work is being done in three phases, with Southeast Community College designing the first three acres, which will include a cancer ribbon as the sidewalk.
“In the middle there will be a large pergola for individuals to gather, water features, a butterfly garden and upwards of 50 trees just in the first three acres,” Watson said. “After those first three acres are designed we’ll work with SCC to get the next three designed and the next three.”
For both city officials and residents a like, there’s been nothing but excitement and curiosity for the project.
“Every city official I’ve talked to has been very supportive of this project,” Tempelmeyr said. “They’ve been supportive as it’s grown in its scope, they’ve been supportive as it’s grown all the way along.”
“The community so far, those who have reached out, it’s already made us know how we thought people would react,” Watson said. “It’s very positive, people are very interested and they’re very excited it about it.”