A Memorable Morning at Children's Hospital Olson Family Garden

As a parent, I can think of nothing more heartbreaking than having your child in the hospital- whether it’s a short stay because of a surgical procedure, or an extended visit due to cancer treatment.  

Luckily, if you live in St. Louis, children, their parents, siblings and friends have a refuge on the top floor of Children’s Hospital.  It’s the Olson Family Garden.  But, it’s much more than a garden- it’s an oasis on Kingshighway Boulevard that benefits not only the children who stay there, but also the doctors and nurses who care for these brave children.

My garden club had the pleasure to visit the Olson Family Garden at Children’s Hospital last week.  One of the club’s members volunteers one morning a week and thought we would love seeing what really creative people can do with an ordinary hospital rooftop.  

Our tour was beyond memorable, thanks in large part to the only full time garden employee- Gary Wangler.  Gary is a real ambassador for the hospital and is an outgoing, jovial presence at the Olson garden. 

Gary began by telling us about some of the activities and projects he is overseeing at Children’s Hospital.  He took us to a playroom where he is hatching and holding butterflies, waiting to release them in the Olson garden.  He has 2 groups of butterflies that the children will release into the garden soon.  Imagine the smiles on the faces of the kids at Children’s as they open the mesh sacks that contain the butterflies and watch them float free, out into the garden and beyond the confines of the hospital. 

In addition to the butterflies, Gary has many activities for the kids. Any day might include visits from storytellers, a variety of craft projects and puppet shows.

Leaving the butterflies behind, we entered the garden.  It’s uncommon to have a large group of women momentarily rendered speechless, but we were. The overwhelming feeling of tranquility, peace and calm was palpable. 

Each of my garden club friends found some aspect of the garden special and worth noting.  The sound of water is ever present.  There are small ponds with fish, a bubbling grindstone fountain and a small pond with fresh, clear water that even medically compromised children can touch.

It seems that the designers of the garden thought of everything that children would love.  Watching the fish.  Looking through the telescopes, peering and squinting in an effort to find home.  Curling up inside one of the porthole windows that face west.  Putting your hand in clear water, catching it as it puddles out of the lily pad.

There are numerous realistic reptile statues all over the garden, most of which are at a child’s level.  A small frog has its patina worn from many visitors rubbing its back.  A long, slithery snake rests on a warm piece of flagstone.  A darling turtle is placed so it looks as if it is staring directly at a child. 

Even if patients need medicine and machinery close at hand, there is more than enough room for them to visit and play. Winding paths are ample for all visitors, even if they’re trailing an IV pole behind them. 

During our visit a youngster came, pulled in a darling little cart that resembled a caterpillar.  Another child came in a wheelchair.  Yet another came with a sibling who was clamoring to use one of the two telescopes.

As Gary was taking us through the gardens, he was proudly showing off the birdhouses that former patients painted. He is especially fond of the kaleidoscope that hovers over a pot of Impatiens.  I asked if employees of Children’s Hospital used the garden as well. Gary explained that many of the support staff for the children visit the garden to rest, reflect and gain a feeling of calm and serenity before heading back to work. 

I have no doubt that by sitting in one of the many benches at the garden, one can decompress, reassess and get back to the job at hand- helping and healing the children.

As we were finishing up our visit, a patient and his siblings came running into the garden.  They couldn’t wait to push the huge granite sphere that rests in a base of water.  As you roll the sphere, you can view the United States etched into the stone.  And, smack dab in the middle of the USA, you’ll find a star denoting the City of St. Louis. 

In St. Louis, across the street from Forest Park is a 7,000 square foot rooftop garden that lets children be children.  The garden is a glorious haven that heals the mind, soul and spirit of all who enter.  And one that leaves you forever changed and enlightened.