The Memorial Grove
Steve Weiss AIDS Living Memorial Grove
The Future of the Grove
The Steve Weiss AIDS Living Memorial Grove, a native plant jewel located in El Chorro Regional Park, is entering its next stage of life. Established in 1994, the Grove is now home to over 200 native Californian trees, shrubs, and grasses, and has served our community for years as a place of reflection, education, and awareness.
This summer, we are embarking on the next stage of the Grove’s mission. The first part is to expand the Path of Remembrance, a stone walkway in which each stone bears the name of someone the community has lost to AIDS.
The second part is to create a Native Healing Plant Garden. This will only enhance the Grove as a place of healing. We hope that this Garden and the Path of Remembrance will aid us in our mission to educate the public, and especially youth, about HIV/AIDS as well as the healing power of the Earth. We are also looking to add reconstructed granite and to replace the wood pathway with stones.
We are bringing back the Grove work days beginning in July and meeting the third Saturday of each month from 9 am - 12 pm. Please join us in making our Grove all it is meant to be.
We welcome community donations and input for the Grove. If you would like to purchase a stone on behalf of a community member who has passed away from AIDS, click on the button below, or if you would like to donate to our native healing plant garden, please contact Kelli at 781-3660. Thank you for your support!
About Memorial Grove
Directions & Map
In partnership with San Luis Obispo County Parks, under an Adopt-a-Park agreement, the Access Support Network continues to develop and maintain the Steve Weiss AIDS Living Memorial Grove on three acres of El Chorro Regional Park. The site, surrounded by campgrounds, Dairy Creek Golf Course and Dairy Creek, is rolling grassland formerly used for cattle grazing.
A low wood fence and double row of Catalina Ironwood and Catalina Cherry trees separate the campground from the Grove. Parking is on the left side of the service road on the upper edge of the campground. An entry path and gateway to the grove is visible from there.
From the entryway, the view includes grassland, maturing trees throughout the Grove as well as mature sycamores along Dairy Creek at the far boundary, benches donated in memory of Dr. William Gordon and of Ray and Jamie Hatler and a small footbridge across a side stream.
As the plants mature, work will continue to make the Memorial Grove more accessible and vibrant. Other goals are the creation of a rock garden, a small amphitheatre in a curve of Dairy Creek and a hilltop meditation point with panoramic views.
Location
El Chorro Regional Park
State Highway 1
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Donate
Donate Time
Come to enjoy the sunshine and breathtaking views of the Morros when you join a work party for planting and maintenance of the Grove. Weeding, mulching and watering are ongoing tasks.
Donate a Tree
A minimum donation of $25 covers the cost of planting a tree in honor of someone who lived and died with AIDS.
Dedicate a Paving Stone
A minimum donation of $125 will give you a paving stone bordering the pathway to the grove, where a name can be carved.
Sponsors
Memorial Grove Sponsors
