McMinnville Garden Club – Serenity Garden
We are so pleased to announce our newest community project, the Serenity Garden at the Willamette Valley Medical Center.
It is a multi-year project to provide a place of respite at the hospital for community members, patients, family, friends, and employees. Located near the Cancer Center, it will be funded by the McMinnville Garden Club, community contributions, and a partnership with WVMC.
Detailed information and contribution details follow.
VISION: The Serenity Garden at Willamette Valley Medical Center (WVMC)is designed to enhance the well-being of the community, patients, their families, friends, and WVMC employees through exposure to calm, restorative effects of nature.
MISSION: To provide our community’s hospital, Willamette Valley Medical Center, with a Serenity Garden which will be available for community access and to those served by WVMC as a beautiful respite for contemplation, relaxation, and healing of the mind, body, and soul. The Serenity Garden at Willamette Valley Medical Center is being developed by the McMinnville GardenClub in coordination with the WVMC through a five-phase plan. Contributions and Garden Club funds will be used to purchase plant materials (trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and grasses); as well as the construction of a water feature, pathways benches, a pergola, garden art, and signage. Irrigation, lighting, and ongoing maintenance will be provided by WVMC. The site is located adjacent to the WVMC’s south side and to the west of the Cancer Center. Patients undergoing cancer treatments look directly at the garden. This is a long-term project of the McMinnville Garden Club; Phase 1 began in the Spring of 2021 with the placing of flower baskets in spring and summer then winter baskets were installed in the Fall of 2021. Phase 2 will be adding trees in January 2022 to provide a buffer for the loading dock on the west side of the berm. Additional phases as detailed in the planning document (shown below) will be implemented as funds are available.
Current Serenity Garden Planning Team Members are Jan Clay, Linda Kuhlmann, and Patty Sorensen. Fundraising and Publicity subcommittees have also been created – the contact person is Vickie Gross.
December update.
In December mor additions were made to the Serenity Garden. There are three additional trees (Red Fox Katura), fresh bark dust throughout the site and BOULDERS! Thank you Sandy P. for discussing the project tiwh Mark Pauletto, owner of My Hauler with Claw. Mark donated 7 large boulders to be placed at the garden. Mark's father had cancer and he has experienced the treatment process patience go through.
It was incredible watching Mark ge the boulders off his truck with The Claw and place them in exactly the spots picked out. One of the boulders is flat to allow visitors to have a place to sit while benches are added to throughout the area. Thank you to the News Register for covedring the activity!
