NORFOLK, Neb. — A Northeast Nebraska organization founded by two mothers who channeled their grief over losing their sons to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) into action is building a $100,000 park in Norfolk.

The goal is to honor the memory of their boys and provide solace to all parents who have experienced similar losses.

Briggs and Barrett, a non-profit organization, began its mission to raise awareness about SIDS by collaborating with the City of Norfolk to plant legacy trees in memory of local infants. To date, they have planted over 85 trees in Skyview and Warren Cooke Parks, but space has become limited.

Recognizing the need for more memorial space, Briggs & Barrett Executive Director Brittany Melby-Heimes said, "We needed to find another way to memorialize loss of infants in the area. So, the city worked with us a couple of years ago and donated an acre plot of land that we could fundraise and develop as a memorial garden."

The enduring memorial will feature trees, flowers, bricks, and plaques, as well as two special tributes: a butterfly garden named "Mary's Butterfly Garden" after Briggs' grandmother, Mary Ritz, and a raised water feature with the Briggs and Barrett logo where memorial bricks will be installed and replaced.

Melby-Heimes explained that the memorial garden and Nursery of Hope locations will honor every child, regardless of the cause of death, including miscarriages. "The Briggs and Barrett project mainly focuses on SIDS awareness because both Briggs and Barrett passed away of SIDS and suicides," said Melby-Heimes. "So that is our main focus for awareness and education in our community. But the Nursery of Hope is a place for all families to come and grieve."

While a specific construction start date has not been set, the project is estimated to cost $100,000, and the organization has raised about half of that amount. Their goal is to break ground in the spring of 2026.