The Friends of VA Puget Sound Fisher House, (501(3) (c) non-profit organization) were instrumental in bringing a Healing Garden to the VA Puget Sound Fisher House.   Sparked by the energy of board member Pat Norikane-Logerwell, the project was undertaken in conjunction with the Design/Build program of the University of Washington Landscape Architecture Department. The healing garden beautifully fulfills its intended purpose: to soothe the souls and refresh the spirits of the military and Veteran families staying at Fisher House. The VA Puget Sound Fisher House is already a haven for the families who stay there and the inspiration for building a sustainable Healing Garden grew from the desire to extend that haven to the surrounding garden area, complementing Marianne’s Garden and providing families with a place to rest, restore and heal. 

Professor Daniel Winterbottom leads the award winning design/build program which began in 1995 and has built healing gardens throughout the Pacific North West (including Cancer Lifeline Center, UW Medical Center, in New York City, Guatemala, Mexico, and Bosnia. He has a background in Fine Arts prior to his Landscape Architecture degree from Harvard.University and is passionate in his work:  “What makes a healing garden at a hospital different from any pleasing garden involves understanding what might help 'transport' people away from the medical process or the medical center. For example, knowing that some people grapple with the emotions of a difficult prognosis or treatment, a healing garden might include a spot in the garden for privacy.”

A focus group comprised of house guests and VA staff provided ideas which were the springboard for designs by five student groups.  A design advisory committee, which included staff and experienced landscape designers and garden professionals, reviewed the designs and worked with the students to formulate the final garden design.  The Fisher House Healing Garden was dedicated on June 10, 2010.  

A Healing Garden “Guild” supports and sustains the garden and the surrounding Fisher House grounds.   If you are interested in more information about the Garden Guild or about donations for the Fisher House garden ( in- kind or monetary) , please contact Pat Norikane Logerwell at plogerwell@comcast.net. 

Garden Design Statement

The design of the VA Puget Sound Fisher House garden embodies the "healing journey."  One enters the garden through a threshold of trees, leading to a central plaza.  The focal point of the plaza is a "reflection" sculpture composed of metal bands weaving through a bed of ornamental grasses, suggesting the movement of wind.  The plaza is surrounded by textured, colorful, and aromatic plants to delight the senses.  A lushly planted rain garden, adjacent to the plaza, captures water on site.  The rain garden gently embraces a circular pavilion softened by flowering vines.  The pavilion is also marked by metal panels depicting a dove and olive branch motif, referencing peace and healing.  An extended woodland "restoration" garden completes the "healing journey," symbolizing both spiritual and ecological reclamation.

Read more about the Healing Garden:

Click here to see photos of the garden's construction

This link will take you to stories from the Healing Garden.