Hanes Family Children’s Garden Provides a Healing Space Inspired by Nature and Lake Erie

Visitors of all ages are welcome at David Simpson Hospice House, but for young children, visits can be emotionally difficult. It may be the first time someone they love is dying, or the only time they have seen their parents cry. The Hanes Family Children’s Garden on our Lakeshore Campus provides a healing place where they can take a break from their big emotions and benefit from imaginative play.

This week, we gathered with a special group of supporters and friends from our community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Phase One. Additional elements will be added to the garden over the next few years.
 
During the ceremony, Jane Neubauer, daughter of our former board member Peg Milbourn, shared why she finds the project so meaningful: “I value the holistic care of the hospice philosophy which includes attention to the needs of the mind, body, and spirit,” she said. “My mother was instrumental in obtaining the philanthropic funds that led to the creation of the Hershey Play Garden at the Ames Family Hospice House. My support for this new garden at David Simpson Hospice House honors her legacy.”
 
The nautical theme of Hanes Family Children’s Garden is inspired by its waterfront setting. The site is yards away from the Lake Erie shoreline, so its features are inspired by the sights and sounds of the wind, waves, birds, butterflies and glittering sunlight.

Phase One of the garden features include a whimsical sea serpent crafted by blacksmith and sculptor Ken Roby and  a classic rowboat that children can play in. Natural features include a willow hut where children will find a safe place to rest, think or read inside walls created by the fronds of a living weeping willow tree.

Features being researched for Phase Two include Montessori bells or chimes to generate soothing natural sounds and music, and a climbing structure to allow young explorers to view wider vistas. Garden beds are being designed with a mix of hardy grasses to sway in the breeze, and wildflowers to add color and attract migrating Monarch butterflies.

Phase Three will include an inviting family seating area to provide a comfortable place for a meal, or to simply relax and watch the children play.

“To date, $270,000 has been raised in support of this garden, surpassing our initial goal,” said Laura Rayburn, President of the Hospice of the Western Reserve Foundation. “This total includes not only the cost to create the garden but an allocation to maintain it for the next ten years. We are grateful to the Hanes Family Foundation of the Cleveland Foundation for their lead gift and their support of the classic rowboat garden feature, and to all of the other donors whose contributions make the garden possible.”

Several of the garden features are dedicated to the memory of their donors’ loved ones. These tributes include:

• The Sea Serpent - Dedicated to the loving memory of Sally S. Morley and Laura F. Ross and supported by the Nature Nurture Balance Fund of the Cleveland Foundation
• The Willow Hut - Dedicated to the loving memory of Peg Milbourn and supported by members of her family and the Feel-Good Foundation 
• A Pollinator Flower Bed - Dedicated to the loving memory of Elsie Adams and supported by members of her family.

Special thanks also go to The Toby D. Lewis Trust, The George M. and Pamela S. Humphrey Fund, The Sears-Swetland Family Foundation, Marty and Kathryn Quinn, Patricia Adams, Hospice of the Western Reserve board member Joseph Kovalcheck and his wife, Mindy, and many other donors.