When he had a near-fatal heart attack early in 2007, Complete Auto Body and Repair owner Bob Barks met three local heroes who inspired him to give back to the Hazelwood community in a big way. A police officer, a nurse and a paramedic all happened to be nearby when the heart attack struck as Barks was riding in the car, as his wife drove. Working together, the three helped Barks get to the hospital in time to save his life.

After a full recovery thanks to the help of these generous community members, Barks wanted to show his gratitude by doing something special for The Backstoppers, a St. Louis organization dedicated to supporting the families of public safety officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

He donated land for a public Hazelwood park he dubbed Battery Park, after a historic New York memorial park of the same name. Hazelwood's  Battery Park Memorial Community Garden  is located at 6041 North Lindbergh Boulevard behind Complete Auto Body and Repair. Barks said he built the park to create a place of quiet solitude and remembrance for the families and friends left behind by fallen police officers, firefighters and paramedics. He even has future plans to add a granite memorial wall which will list the names of fallen St. Louis area heroes.

"Our true heroes are police officers, firefighters and paramedics," Barks said via press release. "Many times they are overlooked and taken for granted, but without these folks, where would we be?"

With the support of Hazelwood Police Chief Carl Wolf and funding secured by The CAA of St. Louis County via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Battery Park Memorial Community Garden was built. Several local businesses donated landscaping services, plants and signs to round out the garden. Contributors of note included Home Nursery, O'Hara Landscape & Horticultural Services and Next Day Signs.

The Hazelwood Police Department's explorers group, a program affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America that welcomes both boys and girls, is set to maintain the Battery Park Memorial Garden regularly.

"This is a great way of connecting these young minds to the idea of helping out with community service projects such as the one dedicated by the Barks family," said Police Chief Carl Wolf. "It also allows them to consider other career opportunities that are out there such as the green industry, law enforcement, medical services and firefighting."

"We want them to be creative and get involved in our community."