Olson Family Garden
Location: Outside St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s eighth floor, on the rooftop
Features:
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Interactive 8000-square-foot rooftop oasis designed expressly for children and families who want a place for privacy, solace and healing
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Home to more than 7,000 plants and flowers
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Places to sit and rest, including a swing, benches and small coves
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Crafts, puppet shows and performances by storytellers
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Waterfalls and fountains
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Winding paths and stepping stones
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Goldfish ponds and sculptures
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Views of nearby Forest Park
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Lights at nighttime and special decorations during the holidays
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Named for Bruce and Kim Olson, the hospital donors who spearheaded the project
Virtual tour: Visit the Olson Family Garden via virtual tour.
7th Floor Garden
Location: Outside St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s seventh floor, on the rooftop
Features:
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Space for families and siblings to spend time and run
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Soft, rubberized play surface
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Gathering space
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Ramp for accessibility
Providing Outdoor Spaces for Healing and Comfort
“Nature can be such a wonderful source of healing and comfort,” says Kim Olson, hospital donor who spearheaded the Olson Family Garden. “We wanted to help create a natural environment that everyone at the hospital could enjoy, from patients and families to caregivers.”
According to hospital chaplain Rev. Connie Madden, the garden represents a place for families and staff to “re-center.” “I’ve discovered that the garden works like a sanctuary,” she explains. “People go there to feel safe and less harried.”