Healing Garden at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital

Challenge

Transform an underused and unsightly central courtyard into a new healing garden for use by patients and visitors. Develop a plan collectively as a team-building project for a select group of staff.  Give meaning to the saying: “Build a Garden and the Angels will come”.

Solution

• Curved pathways and low walls create a calming foundation for the garden, incorporating the workshop participant’s desire for “Curves”
• Use medicinal and sensual plants along the pathways, organized to create calming and soothing mini environments in the garden
• Include a water fountain as a focal point of the desired rose court

Special Features

• Medicinal garden areas feature therapeutic herbs and perennials
• Seating areas encourage visitors to have lunch in the garden or simply sit and meditate
• A labyrinth, with instructional signage, encourages lingering and meditation in the garden
• The curvilinear path provides bricks for donor naming