MILWAUKEE, Wis., June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- A panoramic downtown Milwaukee view, lush greenery and a calming fountain greet visitors to the rooftop healing garden at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center. These are among the sights and sounds awaiting guests at the newly opened Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds Healing Garden and the Agnes and Morland Hamilton Healing Conservatory.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090303/CG78204LOGO-b)
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090528/CG23994)
"We want our patients and their families to have a tranquil, calm oasis they can come to when they are at the hospital," says Mary O'Brien, chief administrative officer for Aurora St. Luke's. "They come to us for medical care to heal their bodies. This garden gives them a place to find spiritual healing as well."
The 14,000-square-foot healing garden, on an eighth floor rooftop, includes a 4,000-square-foot glass conservatory for year-round access to the garden's trees, shrubs, flowers and water features. The sweeping view includes Miller Park, downtown Milwaukee and Lake Michigan.
"The results are fantastic," says Don Tendick Jr., the design committee chair and a major healing garden donor. "My favorite part will be seeing people enjoy it."
The project was designed with ideas from patients and caregivers. Pathways are from 5 to 8 feet wide to accommodate hospital beds and wheelchairs. To encourage reflection there is a paved labyrinth and several works of art. Water features include an interactive fountain pool and an 8-by-11 foot water wall.
The garden contains more than 1,900 plants and has several environmentally friendly features, such as a green roof on the conservatory. Also, regional b
'/>"/>
| SOURCE Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center Copyright©2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |