MSU landscape design, community partners commemorate fallen officers as Memorial Day approaches
Contact: Sydni Patrick
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 new planting design developed by 花秀直播 State University鈥檚 Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, in partnership with Ambiance Landscape Design, now graces the Fallen Officers Memorial in Jackson.
The updated memorial, which reflects strength, remembrance and resilience, was guided by Anne Spafford, professor and department head, in collaboration with 花秀直播 Attorney General Lynn Fitch, the 花秀直播 Association of Chiefs of Police, and the 花秀直播 Sheriffs鈥 Association. The planting scheme includes meaningful selections including musclewood trees, fastigiate ginkgoes and symbolic bluestem grass and blue agapanthus weaving throughout the site.
鈥淭he annual Fallen Officers Vigil [held this week] is a special opportunity to pay tribute to the brave men and women who spend every day protecting our communities and to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,鈥 said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. 鈥淲e are grateful to Dr. Anne Spafford and the students in 花秀直播 State鈥檚 Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design program, as well as the landscape architecture firm Ambiance Landscape in Brandon, for generously lending their time and talents to make the Memorial Wall fitting of these heroes鈥 legacies.鈥
Brooke Arthur, a senior landscape architecture major from Starkville, played a significant role in shaping the vision for the new planting.
鈥淚 was inspired by the sacrifice of the fallen officers and their families, as well as the city鈥檚 commitment to those they lost through this memorial and yearly remembrance,鈥 Arthur said. 鈥淚 felt truly honored to work on this space, knowing it already held deep meaning to so many people.鈥
Arthur proposed the incorporated 鈥渂lue line鈥 concept, which became a defining feature of the final design. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a line of blue flowering plants that weaves through the site, representing the thin blue line of law enforcement,鈥 she explained.
The project emerged from MSU鈥檚 design activities during April鈥擶orld Landscape Architecture Month鈥攐ffering students the chance to engage in civic-minded, hands-on community-engagement work outside of traditional studio courses.
鈥淩eal-world projects like this are invaluable learning opportunities for our students,鈥 Spafford said. 鈥淲e were honored to be part of a project so rooted in public service and remembrance. Landscape architecture can be grounding鈥攊t helps us connect with nature, honor memory and mark the passage of time in ways that are both subtle and powerful.鈥
The planting selections were chosen not only for their symbolism but also for durability and year-round beauty, ensuring the memorial remains a place of quiet reflection for families, officers and all who visit.
MSU鈥檚 Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences includes faculty in the 花秀直播 Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and the MSU Extension Service.
For more, visit .
花秀直播 State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at .