is formed to pursue the idea with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. (Winter) Three donations, in memory of prominent local landscape architect Stephen Marcus, provide initial funds for the Grove as a project of Friends of the Urban Forest. 1990 (February) The Grove Steering Committee chooses the long-neglected de Laveaga Dell for the AIDS Memorial Grove. The de Laveaga Dell The de Laveaga Dell was created through a gift from the estate of Jose Vicente de Laveaga in 1898. When the Dell was opened to the public on June 21, 1921, it included a lake, meandering stream, beds of irises, over-hanging oaks, and spectacular ferns. John McLaren supervised the development, that also featured rare rhododendrons, lush camellias, and artfully constructed faux boulders. In the early days, the Dell was known as the Deer Glen and used by the zoo to house animals. In addition, there was a bear housed in the rise at the far western end, now known as the 'Fern Grotto'. The Dell was well maintained during the first half of the 20th century, but later suffered from a lack of funds for maintenance. (November) The first fundraiser was held at the residence of steering committee member James C Hormel. 1991 (September) The first Volunteer Workday in the Grove — a Ground Breaking with Mayor Art Agnos and 75 community volunteers. Twenty-two Bay Area landscape architects, garden designers, architects, artists and park personnel, under the guidance of renowned designer Garrett Eckbo, developed the basic design and Master Plan for the AIDS Memorial Grove. 1992 The AIDS Memorial Grove design's Master Plan is approved by the San Francisco Park Commission. The Grove Steering Committee agrees to work with volunteers to clean up and restore the de Laveaga Dell. The Committee also raised funds for the AIDS Memorial Grove Endowment — to commence paying for a city gardener position at the Grove, and to support maintenance of the Grove in perpetuity. This project support configuration of volunteers and an endowment created a model to emulate for public—private partnerships in public spaces. 1993 (July) Kerry Enright hired as first Grove Executive Director. Initial position funds provided by Columbia Foundation and James C. Hormel. The AIDS Memorial Grove and the City of San Francisco sign a ninety-nine year lease for the de Laveaga Dell site. 1994 (December) First official observance of World AIDS Day in the AIDS Memorial Grove. 1995