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| Briggs Nursery workers install plants and flowers at the entrance to the Hagopian Memorial Walk in Attleboro's Capron Park Monday. (Staff photo by KEITH NORDSTROM)
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ATTLEBORO - Pat Briggs stood at the entrance to the Hagopian Memorial Walk and smiled Monday afternoon.
He had good reason.
Workers from his landscaping company, Briggs Nursery, were finishing the planting and mulching of dozens of flowers and trees that decorate the stone path at Capron Park built to pay tribute to city philanthropists Rose Hagopian and her late husband Jack-and it looked good in the bright July sun.
"Breathtaking" was the word park superintendent Sonny Almeida used to describe it.
Briggs donated flowers, trees and labor for the project that withered for a time, but has become a success because of his generosity and the generosity of others.
Briggs, who lives and works in North Attleboro, said he was giving back to the city where he grew up and still loves.
His Attleboro roots run deep, he said.
"Capron Park meant a lot to me and the Hagopians meant a lot to me," he said. "They were friends of mine for 50 years, so it seemed like a win-win situation."
Briggs said he was also inspired by Almeida, who has dedicated almost 50 years to the care of city parks and by Mayor Kevin Dumas.
While he has never met Dumas, he admires his efforts to beautify the city, he said.
Briggs' son Paul designed the landscaping for the walk, which is lined by weeping cherry trees and rose bushes.
The rose bushes will eventually cover steel arbors crafted by students in the high school's metal shop.
Boxwoods, hydrangeas, day lilies and roses highlight a gazebo at the far end of the walk, which connects to the Anderson Rose Garden.
Briggs said his donation is worth about $15,000.
The project, first conceived more than two years ago, was dormant until Almeida began pushing it last fall.
And on Monday it all finally came together.
"My whole year is made," an elated Almeida said. "It's absolutely breathtaking."
A dedication is planned for next month.
GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.
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