News briefs: Nov. 18, 2009

By Calvin Hall

The Gresham Outlook, Nov 17, 2009

Healing Garden dedication planned

The Healing Garden at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center will be dedicated, rain or shine, from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in front of the hospital at 24800 S.E. Stark St.

The garden, located just to the north of the main entrance, was previously a 13,000-square-foot triangle of lawn. Ground was broken on the $255,000 project in April. The paths, seating areas and plantings are intended to give patients and visitors an opportunity to be outside. Most other Legacy hospitals have therapeutic gardens where patients and visitors can find a place for reflection and fresh air.

“Health care research has shown that patients with a garden view have fewer complications, require less pain medication and are discharged more quickly from the hospital,” said Beverly Herbert, Legacy development director.

In addition to the dedication of certain garden features as memorials and remembrances, supporters of the Gresham project are selling bricks for the garden and hosted a summer garden tour as a benefit.

Fairview reopening Woods Park

The grand reopening of Fairview Woods Park, located at the east end of Bridge Street, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, with refreshments and a park tour.

The park fell into disuse after being heavily damaged during an ice storm. Controversy surrounding the undeveloped space came to a head in November 2007 when bullets from the woods struck two homes on Northeast 229th and 230th courts. Afterwards, the city of Fairview secured assistance from Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods program and cleaned the park up.

The grand reopening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Mike Weatherby, Metro Councilor Rod Park and Steve Kaufman, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.