NeighbourWoods North is hosting a reception today to recognize the many individuals, businesses and organizations who worked together to create a colourful, welcoming garden in front of the GBHS Owen Sound Hospital.

NeighbourWoods North, a sub-committee of the Owen Sound Field Naturalists, prepared a Master Plan to naturalize the hospital property. One of the proposed projects was to transform a grass island directly in front of the hospital into a garden to bring some beauty to the area, and create a more soothing environment for patients, families and staff entering the building.

“Hospitals are often associated with stress and anxiety for many people, and we recognize that there are many ways to build a positive experience, both indoors and outdoors,” said Gary Sims, President and CEO of GBHS. “Neighbourwoods North and their many volunteers have done a tremendous job naturalizing and transforming our hospital property into a more healing environment, and their hard work is very much appreciated. The new garden is a blooming success.”

The NeighbourWoods North volunteer Garden Committee started planning in the fall of 2019, and planting began last spring. The garden consists of 47 shrubs (eight species); 280 perennials, 67 native perennial grasses, 300 spring bulbs, with the last 300 bulbs to be planted this Fall. All plants were purchased from local businesses, with a focus on plants native to the area.

The reception was an opportunity to showcase the garden and thank the many donors and volunteers for their contributions to the garden.

Thank you to the following donors and contributors for their support:
TD Friends of the Environment: $7,000 grant
Master Gardeners of Grey County: $1,000 donation
Paul Brydges, Adam MacDonnell, Hayes Cedar Wood Chips, NeighbourWoods North Garden Committee, GBHS, Owen Sound Ledgerock, Trophies Two, Hutton Landscaping and many local nurseries.

source: media release, GBHS