A “Hope Garden” with 450 tulips was planted at Livesey Park in Fairhaven near the skatepark, where a bench was also installed in memory of Trevor Viera, who died by suicide at the age of 23 and frequented the skatepark when he was a teenager. Photo by Beth David.
Press Release
For several years, across America, The Yellow Tulip Project has brought hope to young people and others struggling with mental illness. It inspires people to create yellow tulip gardens with the mission of smashing the stigma surrounding mental illness, building community, and bringing hope.
In memory of her grandson, Trevor Viera, who died of suicide in 2022 at age 23, Fairhaven resident Donna Peirce and Trevor’s mom Christine Peirce and friends Bee and Lynne planted 450 yellow tulip bulbs at Livesey Park in Fairhaven last November. They obtained the bulbs through The Yellow Tulip Project. The Fairhaven Department of Public Works gave permission for the garden to be planted in Livesey Park, near a bench dedicated to Trevor.
Donna and Christine were inspired by The Yellow Tulip Project and its mission to help people know that when mental illness strikes, there are ways to get help, people there for them, and that circumstances that may seem overwhelming can and will change.
450 tulips bloom in a “Hope Garden” at Livesey Park in Fairhaven near the skatepark, where a bench was also installed in memory of Trevor Viera, who died by suicide at the age of 23 and frequented the skatepark when he was a teenager. Photo by Beth David.
“I wanted to do something important and visible in memory of Trevor, something that would help other young people to know that there are people who care and who can help them through difficult times,” said Donna. “We hope that people will come to Trevor’s garden and be uplifted by the yellow tulips and feel better able to get on with their lives and also be inspired to help others.”
The yellow tulip represents happiness and hope — when yellow tulip gardens spring up in communities, people realize that even in the darkest times, hope is always there and suicide should never be an option.
450 tulips bloom in a “Hope Garden” at Livesey Park in Fairhaven near the skatepark, where a bench was also installed in memory of Trevor Viera, who died by suicide at the age of 23 and frequented the skatepark when he was a teenager. Photo by Beth David.
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