Here at Gillette, outdoor space has long been a part of our history. In the early- to mid-1900s – when our hospital was located on the shores of Lake Phalen – children enjoyed everything from sandboxes and swing sets, to even a baseball diamond!

When Gillette moved to its current location in the 1970s, we gained much-needed space to grow to meet community needs. But we lost an area for children and families to enjoy the outdoors — until now.  Earlier this summer, we opened the Peggy King Healing Garden – a soothing, natural space located adjacent to our new patient-care building.

The beautiful space includes play equipment, outdoor musical instruments, a fountain, and areas to simply relax and enjoy nature. Patients also use the space for outdoor therapy sessions, which focus on practical skills and independence.

The garden is named in honor of Peggy King, a wife, mother and longtime Gillette board member. To honor her service to others, her family made a gift in support of a healing garden for Gillette. The garden was also partially funded by Gillette’s employees, who know the value of having an outdoor space for patients and families.

The garden features a walking path throughout and shaded pergola.

A view of the play equipment and small garden used for outdoor therapies.

A rock fountain provides soothing ambiance.

Children can enjoy using these musical pipes and, nearby, musical footpads.

Peggy King’s family toured the garden named in her honor. From left to right: Ginnie Weyerhaeuser, Dr. Larry Record, Steve Rasmussen, Kristin Rasmussen, Tom Rasmussen, Cathy Morley and CEO of Gillette, Margaret E. Perryman.