[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Thank you, Kerri!

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Great work, Tanya. Would you consider writing a short blog post about this for the TLN Blog? It’s one of our most frequently-asked questions, and I’d love to be able to share what you’ve learned with others. Let me know.

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Great question, Tanya. Alas, no survey yet that I know of. I keep encouraging people to do this, and as soon as the TLN is a proper non-profit and can apply for grant funding, this would be one of the first projects I’d like to embark on. I get this question all the time, and I think it’s important for us in the field to be able to answer with some concrete numbers. Also to have an idea of how it’s growing and evolving over time. If we don’t ever get a baseline, how will we know how things are changing?

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Great comment, Chris! I see at least two guest blog posts in it (seriously; would love for you to do that, if you’re willing).

Bonner is not on the TLN’s list of Healthcare Gardens yet! Would you please provide some more basic info (and pictures, if you have them) so I can get it onto the list? See the existing list for the kind of info we look for: http://www.healinglandscapes.org/healthcare-gardens/b.html. And yes, any others you think are worthy, please let me know. Huge, huge backlog of gardens to be added, but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to learning about more to be added.

I’ll take a look at your blog again. Haven’t seen it in awhile. And congrats on your jobs – exciting times!

Please keep sharing, and keep up the enthusiasm and good work:)

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

These are great numbers, Tanya, and I do think they’re relevant.

As for that survey of healthcare facilities with therapeutic or restorative spaces, unfortunately, not yet! I keep encouraging people to do this, and as soon as the TLN is a proper non-profit and can apply for grant funding, this would be one of the first projects I’d like to embark on. I get this question all the time, and I think it’s important for us in the field to be able to answer with some concrete numbers. Also to have an idea of how it’s growing and evolving over time. If we don’t ever get a baseline, how will we know how things are changing?

Great discussion, everyone – let’s keep it going!

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Hi Tanya, you left this comment ages ago, but I encourage you to take the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Healthcare Garden Design Certificate course (http://www.chicagobotanic.org/school/certificate/hgd.php). It’s expensive, but probably the best investment you could make if you want to focus on this area of the profession. This may be what Gideon was talking about.

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Yes, yes, yes!

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

I totally agree. Not a question (among most), just further evidence, both anecdotal and quantitative. Ming Kuo’s team at the Landscape and Human Health Lab have contributed significantly to this field over the decades, and this recent article in the Hartford Courant seemed like a good vehicle to tap into the more “serious” research that they are doing. The TLN Blog audience runs the gamut from designers and health and human service providers to home gardeners and nature enthusiasts.

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Sorry, bit slow on the uptake. Will read soon!

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

They’re great! Can everyone in this group see them, or do they have to be friends with you first? Or perhaps you’ve posted the albums on the main site as well? If not, can you do that? I know, I’m putting you to work:) One last request: I’d love for you to do a guest blog post about your experience at the garden. Doesn’t have to be anything long – 500 words or fewer is actually best. But I and others would love to hear more about these gardens and your opinions about them. It could even blossom into an article for LAM or the Healthcare and Therapeutic Design PPN’s newsletter. You’ve already done the groundwork, it would just be a matter of pulling some thoughts together, along with your best images. Let me know!

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

There’s a wonderful sound sculpture at the Huntington Garden’s Children’s Garden, where small metal slats chime when gravel is dropped through them. Click HERE to see a short video that I took of it, along with other pictures of that garden. I’m sure there are other examples as well, but I don’t know of any offhand. Looking at children’s and sensory gardens, and even children’s museums, should give you some ideas. Let us know what you find!

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Looking forward to seeing the pictures, Brice! Sounds like it was a good trip.

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Isn’t that the way it goes! Still, do your research beforehand to help narrow down the possibilities. It definitely seems like Good Samaritan is worth a look. Keep in touch and report back!

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Brice, here are some more possibilities:

1. The Mayo Clinic (acute care general hospital) in Scottsdale is also supposed to be good – it has walking trails – though I have not been there.
2. Scottsdale Memorial Hospital North, with a “borrowed landscape.” Not sure what else they have.
3. Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden in Glendale.
**4. Banner Good Samaritan Health Center in Phoenix. Designed by Christine Ten Eyck, who might be worth contacting – her firm has done landscapes for several health care environments.

With any and all of these, and the ones Annie suggested, and any others you find, I’d love it if you’d “report back” about what you saw and learned. The TLN is always looking for more good examples and more detail to add to our Gardens section.

Best,

Naomi

[Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC]

Love it, Chris!

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