Hospital Guild’s healing garden on the rise

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At their April 4 meeting, members of the Eureka Springs Hospital Guild donated $2100 to fund the healing garden project at ESH. Melita Stubblefield, nursing administration secretary at ESH, said hospital staff envisioned a plan to convert an unused area behind the hospital into a wholesome, vibrant space where patients and families could relax in a pleasant environment.

Stubblefield and other staff toured the healing garden prior to the May 3 Guild meeting to check on their progress. She said staff had already begun reviving a defunct fountain, now home to a water lily. Beside the fountain is a raised bed planted with scented flowers and herbs, and ground nearby is being developed into garden space with flowers, bulbs and colorful shrubs.

To improve access to the area, the group will cover a long, inclined walkway with a deck so that non-ambulatory patients can have easy access.

Stubblefield estimated the cost of just the lumber for the deck would be $1300, and the total project cost might be $2100. Early in the process, ESH staff held bake sales to pay for the project. After a point, however, Stubblefield decided to approach the Purple House Guild to see if they would donate maybe another couple hundred dollars. Much to her surprise, the Guild decided to fund the entire project.

Amy Brandt, director of radiology, commented the deck, when completed, will make the space more accessible, but the healing garden will be an ongoing project. There will more fundraising for new plants as well as benches and tables where patients and families can sit together.

Mary Lou Martin, president of the Guild, commented, “We’re so thankful they took on this project, and we’re glad to be a part of it.”