State Senator Tony Hwang convened state and local officials, environmental advocates, and regulators on April 10 to discuss the creation of a memorial garden near the Easton Congregational Church while ensuring protection of the surrounding watershed.
The initiative aims to establish a pollinator garden in memory of Eunice Hanson, a longtime church member and volunteer who died last year. Hanson and her husband, Lee, lost their son, daughter-in-law, and young granddaughter in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Hwang said it is important to remove invasive species from the one-acre parcel and ensure any improvements support conservation efforts. The proposed site would act as a riparian buffer for the Centennial Watershed State Forest. Oversight of the land involves multiple parties including state officials, The Nature Conservancy, and Aquarion Water.
Officials from several agencies attended the meeting: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; Department of Public Health; Aquarion Water; The Nature Conservancy; local representatives; and Don Boyce, treasurer of Easton Congregational Church.
“My goal is straightforward—to preserve and protect our vital watershed lands while creating a meaningful, living memorial to the Hanson family, who gave so much to the Easton community and endured unimaginable loss on Sept. 11. One of the lasting messages Eunice shared with our community was to ‘never forget’,” said Sen. Hwang.
He also said that collaboration among stakeholders was productive: “I appreciate all stakeholders coming together to discuss a responsible path forward. With thoughtful planning, cooperation, and transparency, this can be a solution that protects our environment and honors the legacy of an outstanding Easton family.”
