The Village at Orchard Ridge

The administration of The Village at Orchard Ridge desired a specialized garden for residents of their recently constructed memory care and assisted living facility. Their vision for the Serenity Garden resulted in a design that incorporates a circuitous strolling path that leads residents through a series of memory-evoking “rooms” within the landscape: a rose garden, where residents can participate in a variety of activities; a butterfly garden; and a fully accessible gazebo that provides a more intimate, sheltered space to visit with family and friends. A path and handrail system specially designed to mimic the experience of crossing a bridge leads to Woodland Walk, which takes residents to the most private part of the garden, where a sitting area overlooks the meadow and woodland garden below. Memory Garden is designed using old-fashioned trees, shrubs, and perennials with fragrances that evoke past memories. An arbor, a statue of an angel, the gazebo, and pond are all landmarks that assist residents in wayfinding as they seek their destination within the securely fenced garden.