Healing Garden construction underway

Construction for the new 11,000-square foot Standard Process Healing Garden at Northwestern Health Sciences University has begun.

The Healing Garden, planned by MOM’s Landscaping and Design, will be a central place for students, staff, faculty, and alumni to enjoy. “The Healing Garden is going to be such a beautiful place because it represents who we are as a university through the natural elements. It will be a place for students, alumni, and employees to reflect, gather, and heal,” said Debbie Peterson, executive director of alumni, development, and career services.

The garden will feature a variety of unique design elements including:

• A round courtyard at the center that will feature four smaller outdoor “rooms” intended as gathering places;

• Sensory gardens between the inner, round courtyard and the current and new building — which will be planted with perennials related to a theme;

• Four basalt columns representing the four foundational elements of the University mission and the four academic programs;

• Lush vegetation, rocks, and boulders;

• A main gathering space that could be used for lectures, gatherings, or campus functions;

• An array of arbors and pergolas to provide shade and character to the courtyard; and

• Benches and low walls throughout the courtyard.

Standard Process made a generous donation of $250,000 to underwrite this garden, which is scheduled to be completed in the fall.

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, www.nwhealth.edu