Keep Checking In!

Please keep checking in to the Garden of Hope blog since there is a lot of activity going on both at the garden location and with behind the scenes planning! Do you have the garden dedication on your calendar? Remember to join us on June 14th, 2009 from 4:00 - 7:00pm. The board members will be greeting guests from 4:00 - 7:00 with a special dedication service at 6:00pm. Included in the dedication service will be special music, recognition of local businesses who made the garden plans come to life, reading of babies names on the memorial wall, special testimonies and of course a prayer of dedication. Please help us pass the word around!

More decisions to be made!

Brian Waltman, the Garden of Hope project manager, meets with Mike Witmer of StampCrete. As they look at the garden plans, there is much discussion about the color and pattern that will be stamped onto the concrete. Gracious contributers, like Scenic Ridge Construction, are donating donating the congrete for the pathways while StampCrete, in Leola, is donating labor and equipment to make the pathways a work of art!

Center circle completed

Glenn Eberly of Strasburg Masonry, recently completed the center circle in the garden. After leveling out the soil and laying a bed of fine stone, Glenn meticulously laid the pavers, forming a beautiful patter and solid walkway for all who visit the garden.

Let the digging begin!

Sam King (right)of Scenic Ridge Construction and Jim,a representative from Drive Kore, review the garden blueprints before using a high tech laser transit to stake off the garden focal points and elevation.


Jeff and Kyle Siegrist, of Siegrist Excavating, look over elevation prints for the garden before the digging begins. Although there are not mountains of dirt that need moved, it is imperative that the slope and fall of each point is accurate since the garden plot is on a slight incline.


Let the digging begin! After seven years, we are moving dirt! In this photo, Kyle Siegrist levels up an area for a garden gazebo and grades off an area for the garden walkways, sculpture and memorial walls.

Finalizing the garden plans

The Garden of Hope board of directors met several times with Al Olah of Rettew Associates to plan the layout of the garden. The detailed plans will allow the construction of the garden to flow smoothly since everyone will be working from the same blueprint.

Lancaster Garden of Hope

More than seven years ago, God laid a very special vision on the hearts of families who had lost children to miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. That vision was to create a memorial garden where these individuals could not only grieve the loss of their precious baby, but celebrate that life as well. A beautiful HOPE sculpture will be the focal point of the garden along with memorial walls with the names of babies who passed away and now live with Jesus. Of course, beautiful flowers, trees and plantings will create a peaceful atmosphere for a quiet place of reflection.
After years of praying, planning, raising money, waiting, waiting and waiting, the construction of the garden is now under way! Praise God for the many local businessmen who have stepped forward to help with the garden by donating their skills and materials or by selling them at cost. The Garden of Hope dedication is scheduled for June 14th, 2009 at its location in the Watson Run development just east of the town of Intercourse off of route 340. The garden board will welcome visitors from 4-7:00pm with a special dedication service at 6:00pm. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this very, very special communtity event.
Please visit the blog often so you can follow the progress of the garden and rejoice with us as this dream becomes a reality!