Compassionate Friends Grande Prairie president Elizabeth Naeth (L) and Tiny Hands of Hope co-founder Karen Gilkyson (R) at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Blossoming Garden of Hope. Photo by Curtis Galbraith

By Curtis Galbraith

Community

Groundbreaking held for Blossoming Garden of Hope

May 25, 2022 | 5:59 PM

Ground has been broken for the new Blossoming Garden of Hope, a place intended for people who have lost a child to go and remember their little ones.

About 50 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday at the site in Maskwoteh Park.

Tiny Hands of Hope co-founder Karen Gilkyson says after six years of planning, it feels “extremely surreal” to see this day come about.

“We had to, obviously, take a pause during the pandemic and we didn’t know how we were going to pull it together, but this past year, we just put our heads down and really just got to work and got the word out there that this Blossoming Garden of Hope is needed in our community.”

“We just spread the vision to our community and really got backing from the County of Grande Prairie, City of GP, community members.”

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Compassionate Friends Grande Prairie President Elizabeth Naeth says it is hard to not get emotional seeing this day come.

“I would say that our shoulders feel a little lighter and the amount of community support is flooring. We have an amazing community that we should be very proud to be a part of.”

The ceremony also included an announcement of a $150,000 donation to the garden from the Buchanan Family Foundation.

Gilkyson says there is a lot of symbolism in the new name.

“Blossoms blossoming means (a) short, beautiful life that, really, there is so much beauty, but it can be tragically short, just like the lives of these children that have passed away. Whether it was pregnancy or older age.”

“There are so many individuals in our community that are grieving that loss, that beauty they miss in their life.”

Gilkyson says hope is what parents look for after the loss of a child. She says the garden is meant to bring hope, healing and a sense of community to families, first responders, and anyone else impacted by loss.

The garden will be built beside the existing playground at Maskwoteh Park. Gilkyson says they hope to start construction either later this week or next week and finish by the end of October.

Photo by Curtis Galbraith.