Olive in the Garden

Olive in the Garden

Olive loved the Prouty Garden. She delighted in the squirrels and was fond of the hidden frog statue. She loved to play with bubbles by the fountain. At home in Maine, Olive enjoyed daily outdoor walks with her parents and her grandparents; the Prouty Garden allowed Olive to continue her routine of getting outside in nature every day while at BCH, even when all other aspects of her day-to-day were interrupted. 

The People's Petition to Preserve Prouty Garden

The People's Petition to Preserve Prouty Garden

For the culmination of her year-long research project, Simmons College student Erin Hickey conducted a qualitative analysis of the comments on our Change.org petition to preserve the Prouty Garden at BCH. As you'll see, there are several key themes that frequently appear in the comments, including the garden as an "oasis," the garden's holistic healing qualities, the connection to nature the garden provides, the spiritual benefits, the sense of normalcy, benefits to staff, and so much more. 

BCH Expansion: An Unnecessarily Bloated Enterprise

BCH Expansion: An Unnecessarily Bloated Enterprise

We think you will find John Lynch’s latest report, "Response to the DPH on Relative Merit & Project Alternatives in the Matter of DoN Project 4-3C47," submitted today, to be a compelling window into the ongoing work we have been doing.  Lynch does not mince words - making clear the contradictions and discrepancies which run rampant through the words and actions of Boston Children’s Hospital (the Applicant), as they have progressed through the process of expansion. Read on for highlights from this compelling report.

READ: Hospital Expansion Threatens Beloved Patient Garden

READ: Hospital Expansion Threatens Beloved Patient Garden

Read now this article published on May 18th in HealthLeaders Media. "Gardens have been a mainstay at hospitals, even before research backed up widely held views that being in nature had a calming and healing effect on patients. Lately, hospitals across the country have poured more resources into their gardens, with some planting vegetable crops that are incorporated into patient meals. At one hospital in Massachusetts, however, this spring might be the last for its garden, and the community is outraged."

REPORT: Children’s Retreats from Caring for Poor

REPORT: Children’s Retreats from Caring for Poor

Today, the Friends of the Prouty Garden (FPG) submitted to the DPH a new report analyzing the Hospital's efforts to create a massive new complex in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston. The report contends that proposed $1 billion expansion project at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) would further restrict access to quality pediatric services for Massachusetts Medicaid patients and indigent children, while expanding services to wealthy, private-paying international patients.

About the Judge's Ruling

About the Judge's Ruling

As you may have heard, yesterday our preliminary injunction was denied. However, this is neither a loss nor a win but a necessary next step forward in the legal process. Though he denied the the preliminary injunction, the good news is that Judge Salinger's ruling also entitles the Friends of the Prouty Garden (FPG) to move forward with our legal claim regarding the Hospital's violation of actions in light of the pending Determination of Need (DON) certificate.

Join Us at Wake Up the Earth!

Join Us at Wake Up the Earth!

The Friends of the Prouty Garden will be joining in the festivities at Jamaica Plain's 38th annual Wake Up the Earth Festival, this Saturday, May 7th from 12 noon to 6 pm. We will have a table and group members will be on hand to pass out flyers, buttons and spread the word about the vital importance of the Prouty Garden. We invite you to stop by!

Remembering Shan

Remembering Shan

Today we remember one of the many young people to whom Prouty Garden has provided comfort and solace in their final days and hours. Shannon Nissa Bailey Powers spent most of her life in and out of BCH for Cystic Fibrosis treatment. Here we share more of her experience with Prouty, her self-portrait, and a eulogy she wrote for her grandmother, which eloquently expresses the sense of beauty, mystery, and joy Shan found in the Prouty.

Letter from Harvey Silverglate

Letter from Harvey Silverglate

Last week on Earth Day, we published an advertisement in the Boston Globe that called on the public to urge the hospital to re-open the Prouty Garden to patients, families and hospital staff. We received copies of dozens of beautiful and heartfelt letters, but especially wanted to share this one from attorney Harvey A. Silverglate, co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE).

Earth Day in the Prouty Garden?

Earth Day in the Prouty Garden?

This week, Boston Children's Hospital put up fencing in the Prouty Garden and began geological boring, another example of how the Hospital continues to move forward with its expansion plan, even without final state approvals and with a pending lawsuit. The Friends of the Prouty Garden today published the following advertisement in the Boston Globe, urging the public to call the hospital and demand they stop the destruction and reopen the garden immediately.

Ten Taxpayer Group Announces Lawsuit Against Boston Children's Hospital

Ten Taxpayer Group Announces Lawsuit Against Boston Children's Hospital

A Ten Taxpayer Group, consisting of members of the Friends of the Prouty Garden, intervened today in the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) process to determine the need for a more than $1 billion expansion at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH).  The Ten Taxpayer Group filed a lawsuit against the hospital, alleging that BCH has violated state law and regulation by proceeding with construction of and fundraising for the 12-story facility without obtaining necessary state approval.

Another Vigil this Saturday 4/9

Another Vigil this Saturday 4/9

We have reason to believe the hospital will begin destruction of the Prouty Garden on a weekend morning this spring. Therefore, every Saturday in April (and possibly longer) we will be gathering at the hospital to keep watch over the garden and continue spreading awareness through our presence, including this Saturday, April 9th. We urge all of our supporters to come to as many Saturday events as possible, for as little or as long as you are able!

Tree Vigil This Saturday 4/2

Tree Vigil This Saturday 4/2

Friends of the Prouty Garden recently learned that the hospital has plans in the work to remove the dawn redwood tree from the garden in the near future. We have reason to believe this work could commence as early as this Saturday during the early morning. As such, we are organizing a tree vigil this Saturday from 6 am to 10 am at the hospital, rain or shine, and urge all supporters who are able to attend.