More than 35 years ago, thousands of Anchorage community members purchased personalized bricks that became part of the walkways and gathering spaces in Town Square Park. These bricks reflect decades of local history - family names, milestones, memorials, and celebrations that helped make the park a meaningful downtown landmark.
As part of the ongoing reconstruction of Town Square Park, these commemorative bricks have reached the end of their lifecycle and must be removed. To honor the individuals and families who contributed to this community effort, the Municipality of Anchorage will be returning the bricks to their original owners.
Community members will be invited to claim their bricks during a pickup period this summer pending construction schedules. Anyone who prefers not to keep their brick(s) will also have the option to forfeit it/them for repurposing.
We’re grateful to everyone whose brick helped make Town Square Park a welcoming, memorable space for more than three decades. For ongoing construction updates and project information, please visit the
Town Square Park Master Plan page.
Questions specifically regarding the return effort of Town Square Park bricks may be directed to Anchorage Parks & Recreation at
parks&recreationvolunteer@anchorageak.gov.
FAQ
Claiming your Brick
I purchased a brick. What should I do right now?
Fill out the online attestation form — this is the single most important step you can take. Submitting the form gets you on our notification list so you are contacted directly when pickup details are confirmed. It also tells us which bricks people are looking for, which helps us prepare. The more people who fill it out, the better prepared we can be.
Are bricks available for pickup right now?
Not yet. The bricks are currently being removed from the park and palletized by our contractor. Once that process is complete, bricks will be moved to an off-site Parks and Recreation location for pickup and cataloguing. Pickup is expected to take place this summer and into early fall 2026.
How long will bricks be available for pickup?
Pickup will be available this summer through early fall 2026.
We will not hold bricks beyond this window. Unclaimed bricks that are still serviceable may be repurposed after the pickup period ends. Do not wait — fill out the attestation form now so you are notified as soon as dates are set.
Where will the pickup take place?
At an off-site Parks and Recreation facility. We are not advertising the specific location yet — we want to make sure the site is fully ready before directing the public there. The location will be shared once pickup dates are confirmed.
Filling out the attestation form is the best way to be notified.
What should I expect at pickup?
This will be a hands-on, come-find-your-brick experience. Plan to do some searching:
- Bricks will be palletized by section as they were in the park, but exact section integrity cannot be guaranteed.
- You will need to search through pallets manually. This is not a pre-sorted or individually packaged retrieval process.
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Knowing your brick's section and ID number in advance will help you search more efficiently — see the "Finding Your Brick in the Records" section below.
- Limited Parks and Recreation staff and volunteers will be on-site to assist.
- Shipping is not available. Bricks must be claimed in person.
- If you cannot come yourself, you may send a representative — that person must complete the attestation form at pickup or submit it in advance online.
- Anyone who prefers not to keep their brick may forfeit it for repurposing.
Can someone else pick up my brick for me?
Yes. If you are unable to come in person, you may send a representative. That person will need to complete the attestation form — either in advance online or in person at the pickup location. There is no requirement that the original purchaser be present.
Is shipping available?
No. Bricks cannot be shipped. They must be claimed in person or through a designated representative. This applies to all bricks regardless of location or circumstance.
Finding Your Brick in the Records
How do I confirm my brick is in the inventory?
Search the brick list, organized by purchaser last name, available at:
https://www.muni.org/Departments/parks/Documents/TSP%20Bricks/TSP%20Bricks%20ALL%20-%20OG%20List%20by%20Name%20-%20OCR.pdf
If your name appears on the list, your brick is in the inventory. If you have your original purchase certificate, check it for your brick's ID number — this will make searching at pickup significantly easier.
How do I find which section my brick was in?
Your brick's location depends on its original ID number. Here is how to find it:
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Bricks with original ID #1–9,238 (Sections E, F, or G): These bricks were not relocated and remained in their original positions. You can use the brick map to find your section. If you do not have your certificate or do not remember your original ID number, the brick list is accessible at:
https://www.muni.org/Departments/parks/Documents/TSP%20Bricks/TSP%20Bricks%20ALL%20-%20OG%20List%20by%20Name%20-%20OCR.pdf
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Bricks with original ID #9,239–13,343 (Sections A, B, C, D, H, I, J, or K): These bricks were relocated at some point. To find the current ID and coordinates, open the Brick Areas list at
muni.org (Brick Areas A–K List). Use the Find tool (Ctrl+F) to search for a word from your brick's inscription. Once located, note the new ID number and brick area (A, B, C, D, H, I, J, or K). This is the brick area that the pallets are organized by.
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The brick map is located here:
https://www.muni.org/Departments/parks/Documents/HowtoFindyourBrick.pdf
The full Brick Locations guide is at:
muni.org/Departments/parks/pages/townsquarebricklocations.aspx.
I can't find my brick on the inventory list. What now?
The brick list is the original inventory from when the bricks were installed. If your brick does not appear, we have no way to identify or locate it in our records. We recommend double-checking the spelling of your name or trying alternate variations. If it still does not appear, we are unfortunately unable to track that brick. We cannot add bricks to the list that are not already in the inventory.
My brick isn't at the pickup location. Why not?
There are two possible explanations:
- Over 35+ years, some bricks were removed, displaced, or went missing due to weather, wear, or other circumstances. If a brick was not physically present in the park when the contractor removed them, it could not be collected.
- Only fully intact bricks were transported to the pickup location. Broken bricks were not moved, as broken granite has sharp edges and poses a safety risk. Those bricks have been disposed of.
We understand this is disappointing. We are committed to making every brick available for pickup that we have. If your brick is not found, please know that we made every effort to recover and preserve as many as possible.
Other Questions
Can I get an unclaimed brick that was not mine?
No. For legal reasons, we are not able to distribute unclaimed bricks to members of the general public.
What happens to unclaimed bricks after the pickup window closes?
Bricks that are still serviceable may be used in other Parks and Recreation projects. We are also exploring the possibility of donating unclaimed bricks to historical non-profit organizations. Once the pickup period ends, bricks will no longer be individually tracked.
Do volunteers help with the brick pickup operation?
Yes. Parks and Recreation is actively seeking organized volunteer groups to help assist community members at the pickup site throughout the summer and early fall. Volunteers help people search for and retrieve their bricks. This is a physically active role — volunteers should be comfortable handling bricks manually and working with the public in a patient, respectful way.
If your group is interested in volunteering, contact the Parks and Recreation Volunteer Coordinator at
parkvolunteers@anchorageak.gov.
Will the bricks ever be reinstalled in the new park?
No. The commemorative bricks are being made available for pickup to their original owners as part of the park's reconstruction. The new park will be built according to the updated Master Plan. For details on what the new Town Square Park will look like, visit the Master Plan page at
muni.org/Departments/parks/Pages/TownSquareParkMasterPlan.aspx
Background and History
What are the Town Square Park commemorative bricks?
More than 35 years ago, thousands of Anchorage community members purchased personalized granite bricks that were installed in the walkways and gathering spaces of Town Square Park. Each brick was engraved with a personal message — family names, milestones, memorials, and celebrations — making the park a meaningful landmark woven into the history of downtown Anchorage. The bricks paved the park's perimeter in greenish, gray, and pinkish-gray granite, creating what one writer at the time called a “wildly eclectic record of the lives and stories of Anchorage residents”.
How did Town Square Park come to exist in the first place?
More than 35 years ago, thousands of Anchorage community members purchased personalized granite bricks that were installed in the walkways and gathering spaces of Town Square Park. Each brick was engraved with a personal message — family names, milestones, memorials, and celebrations — making the park a meaningful landmark woven into the history of downtown Anchorage. The bricks paved the park's perimeter in greenish, gray, and pinkish-gray granite, creating what one writer at the time called a “wildly eclectic record of the lives and stories of Anchorage residents”.
How much did the bricks originally cost?
Bricks were sold by the Downtown Anchorage Association as part of a grassroots fundraising effort. A one-line brick cost $50 and a two-line brick cost $75. Tree sponsorships were available for $500. In total, 13,344 bricks were sold, raising $598,320 — funding the park's concrete seat walls (the sun amphitheater), trees, flowers, and the framework for the fountain. The brick fundraising model was inspired by a similar effort used in a renovation of Pike's Market in Seattle.
Who coordinated the original brick purchase program?
The program was a collaboration between the Downtown Anchorage Association, Mayor Tom Fink's administration, and Friends of Town Square. Project director Kathy Kingston oversaw the brick sales effort and sold many of the bricks herself. The groundbreaking ceremony — the symbolic start of the Laying of the Bricks — was held in August 1992 and included Mayor Tom Fink among the shovelers. At that point, about 6,000 bricks had already been sold.
When did the park officially open?
Town Square Park was inaugurated on September 12, 1993, with a public celebration called "Stand By Your Brick." Hundreds of Anchorage residents gathered to find their bricks, listen to the Air Force Band of the Pacific, and take part in an aerial photograph. The event marked the end of years of controversy and debate over what should become of the downtown block.
What kinds of messages did people put on their bricks?
The bricks captured the full range of human experience. Many were memorials to loved ones or pets. Others celebrated marriages, anniversaries, births, and friendships. Some were playful or whimsical. A few were political or philosophical. According to coverage from the time, examples included tributes to beloved dogs and cats, fishing-themed inscriptions ("I Clam, Therefore I Am"), marriage proposals, anniversary commemorations, and at least one Shakespeare quote. Project director Kathy Kingston noted that "people got a little more creative as time went on," and that she had heard explanations ranging from the hilarious to the tragic.
How many bricks were there in total?
A total of 13,344 commemorative bricks were sold and installed in Town Square Park, raising $598,320 for park improvements.
Why are the bricks being removed now?
Town Square Park is undergoing a major reconstruction as part of its updated Master Plan. After more than 35 years in service, the commemorative bricks have reached the end of their lifecycle and must be removed as part of that construction process. For more information about the reconstruction project, visit
muni.org/Departments/parks/Pages/TownSquareParkMasterPlan.aspx.