Memorial of Mark Greenberg
In Loving Memory of Mark Greenberg
The Soul of Harlow Gardens
Mark Greenberg was a man of vision, integrity, and unwavering heart. He did not just contribute to the creation of Harlow Gardens. He carried it.
From the earliest days in the early 2000s, when the dream was still a conversation, Mark was present. He saw the possibility when there was no structure. He stayed close through the pauses, the setbacks, and the years of waiting. While others moved on, Mark remained connected to the vision. He believed Harlow Gardens would one day rise.
His impact cannot be measured by titles or roles. Mark made quiet introductions that turned into pillars of the project. He offered guidance without ego. He held space for the dream when it was little more than a blueprint and a prayer. His words, his kindness, and his presence helped shape the heart of this sanctuary.
Just weeks before his passing, Mark stayed at Harlow Gardens. He rested in the rooms he once imagined. He saw the mountain view that had lived in his spirit for years. He experienced the peace he had long envisioned. Not long after, he attended a celebration at the Betty Ford Center, a final honoring of a life devoted to healing and purpose.
Mark Greenberg never asked for recognition. He led with humility and grace. His soul lives in the walls, in the stillness of the garden, and in every step someone takes toward healing inside these grounds.
This place exists because Mark never let go of the vision. His legacy is forever woven into the fabric of Harlow Gardens.
Thank you, Mark. We will carry your light forward.
Mark Greenberg’s Final Interview: The Story of Harlow Gardens
“This is over twenty years in the making.”
Mark Greenberg spoke those words during his last recorded conversation. The statement was not hype, it was history. In the early 2000s he met Eddie Edwards while promoting an abstinence based pain program for Dr. Jerry Rand in San Diego. Opioid prescriptions were climbing, yet Mark believed recovery had to address the root of suffering, not just the symptoms. A mutual colleague, John Devine, introduced him to Eddie, and the idea of a dedicated treatment center began to take shape. The first plan was a modest six bed residence in the hills above Laguna Beach. When funding collapsed, the project stalled, though the vision stayed alive.
Years later Eddie and program designer Victoria Smart found a forgotten gem in Palm Springs: the former Jean Harlow Hotel. The property was serene and spacious, with potential for far more than a small program. Victoria began drafting protocols and licensing paperwork. Eddie secured the adjacent Village Inn, which had also been sitting vacant, to expand the site into a full residential campus. Mark joined the project as Chief Operating Officer and helped guide its early development. Ground was broken, plans advanced, then construction stalled again due to lack of funding. Many assumed the project was over. Mark did not. He kept visiting the property and stayed in close contact with Eddie, knowing the right people and timing would align.
The Turning Point
One of Mark’s most important contributions was recognizing the need for seasoned leadership and suggesting that Eddie and Hank Deets bring on Josie Herndon as Chief Executive Officer. Josie lived nearby and brought years of experience in behavioral health care. Mark believed she had the vision and operational insight to bring Harlow Gardens to life, and he was right. Josie stepped in, reignited progress, and became a driving force behind the project’s forward movement.
There was an attempt to establish a detox site in Desert Hot Springs during the pandemic. Mark helped lead the presentation to the city council and local neighborhood via Zoom. Despite extensive preparation and outreach, the proposal was denied. The team refocused their energy on completing the Palm Springs campus.
Weeks before his passing, Mark spent a night at Harlow Gardens. He experienced firsthand the calm energy of the property, the views of the San Jacinto mountains, and the comfort of the newly furnished rooms. He saw the vision finally taking shape. Shortly after, he attended a meaningful event at the Betty Ford Center surrounded by his peers and his purpose.
Today, Harlow Gardens is preparing to open. The renovated Village Inn will serve as a dedicated detox and primary care center. Programming is grounded in trauma informed care and designed to support individuals at every stage of the recovery journey.
Mark Greenberg didn’t just help build Harlow Gardens. He held the vision steady through every challenge. He believed in what was possible, and now that possibility is becoming reality.
Rest easy, Mark. The garden is ready.