MARQUETTE, Mich (WZMQ) – The U.P. Home Health and Hospice Center (UPHHH) is dedicated to providing peace and serenity to not just its patients, but the surrounding community as well.
Starting in 1999, the Hospice Serenity Garden is located near the entrance of Presque Isle Park. On Monday, the garden was rededicated by the UPHHH to further share its importance with the public.
“This is for anyone who wants to find a quiet place to sit, think, dwell on things; good, bad, and indifferent,” said UPHHH Founder and President, Cynthia Nyquist. “Please, come and enjoy it, take advantage of it, this is a community garden.”
Two main contributors have tended to the garden for years. This includes Nagelkirk Gardens, as well as Brian Swanson and Angela Ciampaglia. The couple have diligently weeded and watered the garden every day for the last five years. They walk Presque Isle each morning, making a stop to check on the flowers and clean the birdbath as they pass through.
“We would walk the island every day, then during COVID the island was closed off,” said Swanson. “At that point, Angela noticed the garden had gotten so overgrown, and she said, ‘that needs a little love.'”
The U.P. Home Health and Hospice Center will also be planting trees on the property over the next year. The UPHHH is always looking for volunteers for the garden, as well as in their Marquette and Ishpeming facilities. For more information, visit uphomehealth.org.
