Healing Garden

Cancer Survivorship Garden

We recently attended the opening of the new Cancer Survivorship Garden at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick which was designed by Adam Robinson Design.  

It has been well documented that exposure to nature has restorative effects on our body, mind, and spirit.

The Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation came to us with a vision to make an outdoor area of their hospital in Randwick a more inviting garden off their existing Cancer Survivorship Centre, with the intention that it could become a peaceful place for people to come when they've had a diagnosis or are going through treatment, to have conversation with family and friends, or just to spend time. 

There was an existing lawn and concrete block seating in a somewhat random arrangement that were used heavily by visitors and staff to sit in the sun, however the surrounding gardens were quite bare and uninspiring. We added additional concrete seats including a 'conversational' semi-circular seat for groups, and other block seats in pairs, to facilitate gatherings of different sizes within the space. 

Deciduous trees and a new timber pergola with an ornamental grape vine were introduced to give pockets of shade in summer, while allowing sun through in winter. A level area of crushed granite was introduced to improve access to the garden for people with reduced mobility, while an area of lawn was retained in the sloped section of the garden. 

Beautiful and striking long-flowering Kangaroo Paws, scented Lavender and Gardenia, ornamental grape, 'Natchez' Crepe Myrtles, Westringia, Lomandra, Kalanchoe Copper Spoons, Doryanthes excelsa were all planted for ongoing visual and sensory interest all year round.

The ARD team were proud to be involved in creating what we hope will be a welcoming, safe, and comfortable restorative setting for many to spend time in – connected to nature. We believe that being outdoors with fresh breezes, dappled sunlight, taking in the perfume of scented plants and flowers, surrounded by nature’s beauty is a remedy for what ails us. It may not be the cure, but we hope it will be a positive aspect of healing for many.

“I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles”

— Anne Frank

---

_