During Merchantville's Memorial Day ceremonies last weekend Mayor Brennan shared news about the new Healing Garden at Wellwood Park -“A Place to Heal the Mind, Body and Spirit”. Phase I & II of the garden were completed in time for the service thanks to the dedicated efforts of many volunteers and organizations. This garden project was inspired by Incredible Edible Merchantville in its mission to create a kind, confident and connected community around land stewardship. Wellwood Park was its chosen site because of its importance
in honoring veterans and its complementary location to our Veteran’s Memorial.
Resident and Landscape Architect, Kerry Mentzer, designed the garden using a serpentine walkway pattern as a layout that encourages reflection and meditation with larger shrubs that separate the garden from adjacent activity and lower shrubs outside the walkway perimeter to define the space. Internal garden flowers and plants offer beauty and interest. Most of the plants are native, promoting healthier growth outcomes and environmental healing. Implementation of the design, including weeding, prep and planting was done by BSA Troop 119 under Eagle Scout project leader, Isaiah Pinto, and Scout Master, Shawn Waldron, as well as volunteers from Merchantville's Green Team, Garden Club and Incredible Edible. Funding for this project was made possible through the Borough of Merchantville, a Green Team Sustainable Jersey PSG&G Foundation Grant and an Incredible Edible Seed Money Challenge Grant.
Ground was broken and Phase I was completed last November. Phase II was completed last week. Phase III will be completed and signage installed in Fall 2025. All gardens heal but Healing or Therapeutic Gardens are designed specifically to help veterans and others who have suffered from some psychological stress. The healing sounds, smells and beauty offer the opportunity to find peace. We hope The Healing Garden at Wellwood Park will provide veterans and others a tranquil environment to relieve stress or emotional challenges, further beautify our Veteran's Memorial and Walkway and that residents, visitors and our veteran community will find the calm, healing and restorative power of communing with nature in this contemplative garden space.