HERRIN - Tranquil and serene might best describe Herrin Hospital's latest addition - a new $500,000 memorial garden funded through the Julia Harrison Bruce and Fred G. Harrison foundations.

The garden, located right smack in the middle of what used to be Lyerla Drive in Herrin, was dedicated Thursday in honor of the two.

"Their spirit is alive with this garden," said hospital administrator Becky Ashton of the late Herrin philanthropists whose foundations have donated millions of dollars to spearhead various projects in the community.

"We want this area to be a special place for all of our patients to come and visit," Ashton said. "It will also be good for family members of patients who need a break after spending a lot of time in the intensive care unit, for example. And it will be good for our employees who work in a high-stress environment and have to regularly deal with death and trauma."

A short walking trail consisting of a rubberized floor that's easy on the feet weaves its way around lush trees and plant life, a stunning 2,500-pound granite globe suspended by water, a walking bridge, water fountain, park benches, rocking chairs and picnic tables.

The walking trail, accented with gold, mauve and blue hues painted onto the surface, is heated in the winter. Ashton said the trail was designed to provide the proper exercise for rehab patients.

The garden, which can be spotted from many different points in the hospital, will officially open when the new addition to the hospital opens to the public, probably next month.

"There are several spots here to sit and relax. It's also a good place to bring your lunch and get away from it all," Ashton said.

George Partridge with Partridge Landscape in Grand Chain, said plant life in the garden features First Lady Variegated Dogwood; Vancouver Gold Woadwaxen; Yellow Groove bamboo; Weeping Juniper; Parisian Parrotia and Variegated Periwinkle.

"It's always interesting to see the finished product after all the work you've put into it," Partridge said. "This particular garden is not what you'd ordinarily find in the center of a hospital. It's rather unique."

john.homan@thesouthern.com

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