FARMINGTON - The garden paths wind along the flowering perennials and around a pond where a foot bridge glides gently over its blue reflection in the water. Under the canopy of towering pines, it’s quiet and peaceful here in the Healing Garden at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

So therapeutic is the landscape that Clem Begin, who built the bridge and donated it to the garden, recommended in jest to those attending the garden’s dedication today that patients visiting the healing garden may not need the hospital after all.

The garden, sitting between the hospital’s main building and the new Medical Arts Center, is the result of the hospital’s auxiliary members who worked to raise a total of $46,000 over the last two years. Auxiliary president Shannon Smith said the money was raised through the various events its members organize. Among the revenue sources are proceeds from the hospital’s gift shop, a dance, a bake sale, a raffle at the Farmington Fair and a book fair.

It took everyone of us, all of us to do it,” Smith said.  

The walkways have been paved with donations from engraved stones the auxiliary has sponsored and continues to work toward getting all the paths paved. Anyone wishing to purchase a stone for $60 which will be engraved with a name, can stop by the gift shop.

Rebecca Ryder, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer, said Clem Begin had heard that part of the early plans for the garden had included a 16-foot long bridge over the pond but the bridge idea had to be dropped because of budget cutbacks.

“Clem said, ‘I’ll do it and bring it over,’” Ryder said. “And, so we now an incredible walking bridge,” she said smiling.

Today, a dedication was held to thank the auxiliary members, Begin, and EL Vining & Son, Inc. a Farmington construction company for donating a lot of time and materials to help with the earthwork and water features including tricky drainage work around the pond.

Ryder said she’s seen patients and those who had an appointment in the medical center strolling through the garden or sitting under the tall pines.

“It’s a popular place to visit and,” she said looking across the garden, “I couldn’t be happier.”