being— Lincoln, Nebraska

Bryan Health Garden of Hope and Healing

A community driven design honoring nature, health, and community. The medical employees, patients, and families voices at the April Sampson Cancer Center guided the design ensuring a space that reflects their needs, fosters connection, and provides a sanctuary for reflection and renewal.

The Bryan Health Garden of Hope and Healing is a sanctuary that offers strength to those in treatment, comfort to families, and respite for caregivers. The Nature Sacred Foundation commissioned Moody Graham to design this garden. Nature Sacred helps communities create Sacred Places - green spaces designed for healing, reflection, and connection. Each space is developed through a community- led process and incorporates four core elements: a portal, path, destination, and surround. Sacred Places also feature signature benches with journals for visitors to share reflections. The landscape design focused on enhancing and revealing the site's unique features while incorporating the core Nature Sacred elements.

Photos by Nature Sacred

A curved timber bench set among pines in the healing garden

Key Features - Portal, Path, Destination, and Surround

The pine tree alle divides the garden into two main zones. The portal provides an entrance to the garden, a path connects the spaces, new native plants surround the garden, and the labyrinth, fountain shelter, and sculptures provide destinations within the garden.

A framework grid site plan overlaying the garden layout with a structural planning grid

A colored concept sketch of the garden showing a circular gathering space and curving paths

Proposed Garden Design with 14' Grid Overlay

The Framework

Site Plan Sketch

The design uses the 14 foot spacing of existing pine trees as an organizing framework.

The Portal

A key element of Nature Sacred's design was thoughtfully placed along the existing allee of pine, enhancing the natural axis inviting visitors into the space with intention and harmony.

Pines and deciduous trees at the garden edge under a soft evening sky

An aerial view looking west over the medical building and the new garden alongside it

The Path

The garden's winding path invites reflection and healing, with frequent seating for the rest of the patients. Some spots encourage social interaction, while others offer quiet solitude. Carefully planned view corridors connect the garden's focal points, including the pond, sculptures, and water feature. The path leads visitors to the shelter with views to the pond.

Willow branches backlit by low sun at the garden's edge

Destinations

Destinations within the garden invite reflection and renewal. A labyrinth offers quiet contemplation, while a shelter provides a peaceful retreat. Beneath tree canopies, visitors relax by the fountain, mesmerized by shimmering light and moving water, fostering mental restoration and stress reduction. Sculptures add artistic inspiration, enriching the landscape with meaning and beauty.

The site before construction, an overgrown pine grove in rough grass

A flagstone path winding between mature pines, lit by low bollards at dusk

Existing pine trees form a double row, approximately 14 feet apart and 95 feet from the pond. The existing pine trees are complemented by new evergreen and deciduous trees to enhance the windbreak and add shade.

A rendering of the meadow walk with visitors on a curving path through flowering planting

The Surround

The existing Pine trees are complemented by new native trees and shrubs that enhance the windbreak and add shade. Located along the main path are several benches. Existing or new shade trees are located at every bench. The donor commissioned Moody Graham to create 3D renderings and a video of the proposed landscape fearing that he might not live to see the completed garden. When shown before construction, he was moved to tears.

A curved wooden bench in the garden with pines and evergreens behind

The Bench

Visitors pause to reflect and share their thoughts in the journal tucked beneath the Nature Sacred Bench. Each entry weaves a collective story, transforming this Sacred Place into a living sanctuary of connection, healing, and renewal.