Annual Fund 2023
The trees of Lakewold Gardens are healing. Trees are proven to offset negative environmental impacts like air pollutants and excess carbon. With these and other beneficial effects in mind, the City of Lakewood has set a goal of increasing its current tree canopy from 26% to 40% by the year 2050. And while local government acknowledges the importance of trees to the habitability of the city, their presence does far more than improve our physical environment.
Lakewold horticulturalist Brianna Ybarra shares:
“I think we often take the presence of trees for granted. These sentinels have watched over our comings and goings for decades if not centuries. The wisdom of growth and health is contained within their rings of age. We have been beneficiaries of this knowledge from time immemorial if we take the time to simply sit and “be,” finding ourselves willing to listen, feel, and accept whatever lessons the trees have for us. Forest therapy is a journey about remembering and allowing the forest and the trees to guide us down that path.”
Brianna is currently training to become a certified forest therapist. Originating from Japan in the 1980s, Shinrin-Yoku, translated to “forest bathing” is the practice of mindfully immersing oneself in nature, gaining positive psychological and physiological benefits such as stress reduction, improved memory, and a stronger immune system. We look forward to sharing our forthcoming guided forest immersion program led by Brianna here at Lakewold later this year.
Certified arborists identify 282 of the trees at Lakewold Gardens as significant, a classification assigned only if a certain diameter is exceeded. Additionally, an arborist must certify the tree as free of disease or damage, and that it does not present a safety hazard due to potential limb or trunk failure.
Maintaining the trees of Lakewold Gardens involves a remarkable amount of effort and attention. Lakewold’s horticulturalists have a current list of arborist-recommended work to ensure the continued health of Lakewold’s trees. These year-round tasks are important to the overall success of Lakewold Gardens and the safety of our visitors. Our goal to raise $30,000 with our Annual Fund this year will allow us to complete this work in addition to the other ongoing work at Lakewold Gardens.
Thanks to your past generosity, Lakewold Gardens continues to fulfill its mission to provide intentional encounters with the life-changing power of nature, fostering peace, creativity, and healing in our communities. As we steward the legacy of Eulalie Wagner, we are grateful for support like yours to ensure Lakewold Gardens continues to welcome people to enjoy the tranquility of the gardens and the grandeur of its trees for generations to come.
Lakewold Gardens | 12317 Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest, Lakewood, WA 98499
Mailing Address | Post Office Box 39780, Lakewood, WA 98496
Phone | 253-584-4106
Spring/Summer/Fall Hours | 10 am to 5 pm Wed - Sun
Winter Hours (Nov - Mar) | 10 am to 4 pm Fri - Sun
This page is made possible, in part, by a City of Lakewood Lodging Tax Grant.