BELFAST — The MaineHealth Waldo Hospital healing garden, which can be seen from the hospital’s cancer care and IV therapy unit, has has been completed. 

The garden, made possible entirely through the generosity of donors, features a stone wall, flower beds, plants and bird feeders, offering a calming and supportive view for patients undergoing lengthy, often hours-long treatments, according to MaineHealth. The space is designed to support healing not just physically, but emotionally, creating a more compassionate and comforting care environment.

“The work around this began last year and continued throughout the spring,” said Amy McNaughton, senior director of Philanthropy at MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals. “We wanted to create a space that could help focus the attention of patients receiving care toward nature.”

The Healing Garden was constructed in conjunction with courtyard upgrades at Pen Bay Hospital. There, two courtyards outside the hospital’s Special Care Unit were revitalized in 2024 after sitting idle for years, receiving new stone pavers and planters.

“To date, donors and care team members have contributed more than $400,000 for these and other campus improvement projects,” said McNaughton. “We’ve seen a very positive response from patients and care team members, and we are excited to have these beautiful new spaces on our campuses.”

For more information about the Philanthropy department, visit www.mainehealth.org/pen-bay-medical-center/ways-give/annual-campaign.