Community Health Partners Cancer Center
Elyria, Ohio

Visionscapes was hired to create a healing garden that was a part of the Supportive Care wing of a new cancer Center in Loraine County. The Center provides both Oncology and Radiation therapy for people with cancer. The Supportive Care wing known as the Phoenix Center will provide such support services as a library, art therapy, reiki, tai chi, a wig salon, mediation classes to the community.

The garden was designed to respond to the services offered while also providing the aspects of small and large social areas, a labyrinth for walking mediation, acknowledgement of the cardinal directions and elements of the earth.

Already a natural site, the garden also creates a series of connections to natural walking paths through the existing woods. Sculpture, water features and various seating arrangements all allow for the staff, patients, volunteers and caregivers an opportunity to connect with nature. Construction occurred in Spring 2002.

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One of our volunteers, a cancer survivor, seeing the garden for the first time this morning became tearful, as she tried to express to me her joy in all the beauty.

Clearly overwhelmed after walking through the garden she said, "This is so beautiful, I have no words."

Sister Joy Fratianne, HM
Support Services, Community Health Partners