Veterans hope to transform empty space at VA hospital into healing garden

SEATTLE — In about six months, veterans hope to transform an empty space at the VA hospital in Seattle into a healing garden.

“It will be like a meditation garden,” veteran Cyril Miller said. “That’s what we are trying to provide here.”

Miller is one of the vets spearheading the project.

He's been going to the hospital for more than 25 years.

“Right now we got over a 100,000 people coming into the building,” Miller added. “There is no quiet corner in the building where you can just sit.”

It's a project that has been blossoming for 11 years now.

On Wednesday, supporters of the garden celebrated a big moment when they presented a $40,000 check to Daniel Winterbottom from University of Washington’s Department of Landscape Architecture.

Winterbottom will work with his students to design and build the garden.

Veterans, their families and VA staff will be invited to participate in the design process.

“What I envision is this will be a retreat, almost like monastery within the VA for veterans to seek respite, re-energize, be with family, friends,” Winterbottom explained.

“This is the gift that will keep the healing for years to come,” Miller said.

The group still needs to raise another $35,000. If you would like to contribute to the cause, donations can be made at any HomeStreet Bank branch or sent directly to:

Veterans and Friends of Puget Sound

4742 42nd Ave SW #419

Seattle, WA 98116-4553

The garden should be complete next May.

KIRO