Paving the way for veterans and military families

There’s nothing more rewarding than creating an accessible and pleasing environment for those in need of comfort. Woodfield Landscaping had an opportunity to play a part in an extensive project at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in 2008 when it was renovating the exterior property to make it more patient and visitor friendly.

Walter Reed is known as “The Nation’s Medical Center,” and is one of the country’s largest and most renowned medical institutions. It includes 7,100 staff members who serve military families and the nation’s active duty, returning war heroes, veterans and the country’s leaders.

Woodfield Landscaping’s paver vendor, EP Henry, told President Peter Curro about a project. It was supplying pavers for 10,000 square feet of space to transform outdoor areas. Curro was interested in the project and helping as the installer.

The project took two months and Woodfield provided services at a reduced labor cost. The company installed the pavers, along with four outdoor kitchens and a playground. The project made the property more accessible for wheelchairs, and an inviting place for family and friends to visit their wounded loved ones.

“It was a phenomenal experience,” Curro says. “We were able to help make the experience better for the patients’ families.”

The paver spaces provided areas for gathering. Previously, surfaces were not finished.  “The facility has a hotel where loved ones can stay, but they had no place to go outside,” he says. “Now, they have barbecues, outdoor fire places, a playground for the kids and everything is paved so they are not sitting in the mud. It was an amazing project.”