~Hoichi Kurisu
Samaritan Health Services is fortunate to have world-renowned Japanese landscape designer Hoichi Kurisu design and build three gardens in Lebanon for the benefit of patients, staff and community. This is a tremendous honor. All three gardens are free and open to the public year-round to experience their beauty and tranquility.
The Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation is the steward of these internationally recognized gardens. The Foundation spearheaded the creation of the gardens more than 20 years ago and fundraised for the cost of installation. The community’s generosity was extraordinary, and the gardens were built entirely with donations. The board of trustees wants to ensure the sustainability of these three remarkable gardens, as well as invite more community engagement with the gardens. Volunteer opportunities are available to help foster the gardens and share the history and healing nature of the gardens.
Bill Rauch has served on the Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees for 25 years, many of these as president. His belief has always been that foundation dollars should be used to invest in innovative ideas and projects that can take the hospital, clinics and community “beyond the ordinary.” He met Kurisu in the 1960s, when Rauch was on a study-abroad trip to Japan. They have been friends for more than 60 years, and this friendship inspired Kurisu to partner with the foundation and hospital to design the three gardens in Lebanon.
Kurisu has been designing and building gardens throughout the world since 1972. He believes that nature heals and that in today’s world, communion with nature is more critical than ever to human well-being. Kurisu is highly regarded as one of the most influential Japanese garden designers worldwide and has established a reputation for gardens of the highest authenticity, quality and integrity.
The Healing Garden was developed in 2004 and provides a sanctuary for rest, regeneration and reconnection. Centrally located inside the hospital, it is fully accessible to patients and staff. It can be viewed from birthing center patient rooms, infusion stations, the hallway, dining area and conference rooms.
Developed in 2009 and located along Highway 20 directly across from the hospital, the garden was intended to provide an extraordinary entrance to both the Samaritan Health Sciences campus and the city of Lebanon. The garden covers three-quarters of an acre. It features 625 tons of artistically arranged boulders and a waterfall with a meandering path.
Located next to the Boulder Falls Inn Event Center, this garden was developed in 2013 and expanded in 2015. It features a large pond with koi fish, 1,500 tons of boulders, more than 6,200 feet of walking paths, multiple gazebos and several trees from Kurisu’s personal stock. The one-acre garden provides a perfect back drop for hotel, restaurant and conference center guests, and is open to the community to enjoy and experience the healing and relaxing power of nature.
Healing HarmoniesWednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.ArtsCare is hosting a new summer concert in the Healing Garden at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. Linger as you eat, socialize, read, or stroll through the gardens. Staff and volunteers will be readily available to offer tours and information about volunteer opportunities and upcoming garden activities. The series runs June 5 through Sept. 18 and is open to all to attend.
Garden ToursSecond Friday of every month at 10 a.m.This one-hour tour will guide visitors through Samaritan Health Sciences Campus Entrance Garden and Campus Garden. Learn about their history and how they’re cared for, all while enjoying the tranquil atmosphere.
An Evolution of Purpose: Japanese Gardens as Healing SpacesTuesday, Sept. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.Renowned experts Hoichi Kurisu and Michiko Kurisu will guide you through the history, philosophy and design principles of these exquisite landscapes, revealing how their elements — from stone formations and plants, to cascading waterfalls — cultivate mindfulness and instill tranquility by engaging our senses. This event will take place at Boulder Falls Inn Event Center and is free to attend, but registration is required due to limited seating.
Thad Nelson, MD, is a retired physician from Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital and his wife, Joanne, is a dedicated foundation trustee for 25 years. They are enthusiastic supporters of the garden and have committed a $200,000 matching challenge toward the Healing Garden Endowment, which will provide long-term funding of repairs, enhancement and maintenance of the gardens. All donations to the Healing Garden Endowment in 2024 will be doubled by the Nelson’s generosity.
The foundation is seeking volunteers interested in learning more about the history of the gardens and helping foster the gardens through light weeding and upkeep once a month. Meet new friends, learn about plants and watch the beauty of the gardens through the seasons. To learn about volunteer opportunities contact Sheryl Cox at 541-451-7062 or [email protected].
For more information about Samaritan’s gardens or to schedule a group tour, call the Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation at 541-451-7063 or email [email protected].
