Webpage update 1/13/23
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 Hansen, and Patty Sorensen. Fundraising and Publicity subcommittees have also been created – the contact person is Patty Sorensen, email her at: pdsorensen@comcast.net.
Serenity Garden Project at Willamette Valley Medical Center A partnership between McMinnville Garden Club and WVMC
A partnership between McMinnville Garden Club, and WVMC along with community fundraising.
Phase 1: Three flower Baskets for the Cancer Center back windows beginning Spring/Summer 2021 and Fall/Winter 2021-2 (WVMC to place hangers and water treatment) FINISHED
Year 1 $2,500 Garden Club Funds
Years 2+ $1,500 yearly Designated Garden Club Funds
Phase 2: Fall/Winter 2021-23+ Plant trees on west side berm to block the view of the loading dock and near the entry. Place seven donated large boulders. Plantings will continue through Phase 4 as appropriate.
Budget $2,000 Donations and Designated Garden Club Funds
Phase 3: Winter 2023+
Complete area for a 7-foot donated pagoda to be placed in the center of the pressed rock area as one of the seating locations.
Coordinate the placement of a large art piece donated by the McMinnville Committee for Public Art.
Install concrete pathways throughout the garden
Add pathway and landscape lighting
Install Entry Arch
Continue to plant perennials, shrubs, and bulbs in the Serenity Garden area
1st quarter 2023
Pressed rock pathway for a seating area with a donated pagoda at the center. $1884
City Donated Art Piece Installation $1,000
Phase 3 Additional Components.
Concrete pathways and lighting $10,000
Benches $900 +each
Entry Arch $3,000
Daffodils $200 Fall 2023 Site to be prepared by club members in summer.
Budget to be prioritized as monies are available.
Phase 4: TBD – Add covered seating west of the back hospital door area with wheelchair access
Budget Estimate $5,000
Phase 5: TDB – Install a water feature in center of the lower berm, visible from the Cancer Center, covered seating area and pergola seating area
Budget Estimate $3,500
Interested in helping fund the Serenity Garden?
The Club is working on a variety of electronic ways to contribute and will keep this space updated to include them. Contributions can be made now via cash or check written to “McMinnville Garden Club” – please note on the memo line ‘Serenity Garden’. Send via mail to PO Box 386, McMinnville, OR 97128 For more information please contact us via: macgardenclub@gmail.com We hope you will Join and Watch us Grow!
