Healing Garden

A joint project between Preston MC & Fairview SC

Honouring the Past, Growing the Future

As our neighbourhood grows in density, traffic increases, and our climate shows the strain, this shared project with Fairview will provide much-needed green space for our congregation, Fairview residents and visitors, staff and the wider community to enjoy—space for quiet reflection, meaningful connections, and both rest and exercise for the body, mind and spirit. The garden features accessible pathways and a vibrant variety of plants and trees, many of them native and attractive to pollinators.

We have learned much from our collaboration with Quiet Nature who designed the garden. We have also valued the knowledge generously shared by Terre Chartrand, an Omami Inniwak Algonquin land-based teacher from unceded Algonquin territory. 


This garden is a “work in progress.” When the furniture is place, we are excited to see families gathering for a picnic lunch, staff teams at planning meetings, a class of children from a neighbouring school learning about pollinators, or a volunteer enjoying a quiet break.

There are so many opportunities for connecting with ourselves, our families and neighbours, colleagues, Mother Earth, and Creator.

Some items still to be installed are:

  • a Welcome sign
  • accessible round tables with seating ($3,300 each)
  • benches ($2,000 each)
  • a larger family-sized table and shade sails
    (still to be sourced)

The next stage is to install year-round accessible seating.

If you are interested in helping us, we’d be delighted. We thank you for your interest and generosity toward creating a space of peace and beauty for generations to come.

DONATE ONLINE

So far, we have raised $25,000 of our $50,000 goal. Fairview is raising an additional $150,000.

A big thank you to all who have already contributed to this exciting joint initiative for our two communities. 

Pictured here are some of the people involved with the installation of the Healing Garden:
Elaine S (Fairview), Muriel Bechtel (Preston MC), Kim L, (Quiet Nature), Terre C (Omami Inniwak Algonquin land-based teacher), John S. (Metis, Cree and French)


 
We are thankful for the many contributors to this project. For those who have spent time in planning meetings, those who have expressed support through the ground-breaking and opening ceremonies, those who have supported financially, those who have shared this initiative with friends & neighbours, those who are taking care of the watering, and those who frequently visit the garden to soak in the delight of God's creation. 


 

Healing Garden Opening Ceremony