If you have never walked through the Gardens of Hope, I want to tell you what you are missing before I tell you why it matters so much to me.
Adam and I purchased the Preserve Company in 2022, and every summer when I walk those twelve acres along the River Clyde, I still cannot quite believe it is ours to care for.
Twelve Acres, All Heart, No Price Tag
The Gardens of Hope operate on donation only. There is no revenue stream tied to this property, which means every single dollar that comes in through donations goes right back into keeping it going. Our team works hard all summer long to maintain these gardens so that when you walk through, you feel nothing but peace. No stress, no rush, just space to breathe.
What You Will Find When You Visit
Honestly, the gardens might be my favourite part of this entire business. I love watching people wander the paths, playing lawn games, letting their children run free and just be children for a while. There is something about watching a family let their guard down here that gets me every time.
You will find goats, bunnies, and sheep scattered throughout the property, and at the very top sits our butterfly house, a spot that draws generations of visitors, from grandparents to the littlest ones, all standing still together for a moment.
The flowers change every week depending on what is in bloom, and there is something almost secretive about that. You never quite know what you are going to walk into. I have wanted my own flower garden for as long as I can remember, and it was not until this year that I finally let myself feel like I was allowed to walk through and hand pick my own bouquets for my own cottage.
It is such a surreal place. I do not know how else to describe it.
The Respite Cottage: The Real Reason This Matters
At the upper end of the property sits the respite cottage, and this is where the heart of the Gardens of Hope really lives.
Bruce and Shirley MacNaughton, the former owners of the Preserve Company, host guests at the cottage who are terminally ill, caretakers, or people navigating the end of their life. Guests can stay complimentary for up to one week. No cost, no strings, just a quiet place to rest.
This is exactly why the donation model matters so much. Every contribution to the gardens helps keep this cottage running for the people who need it most.
A Space for Wellness Too
The gardens are also where we host our wellness events on the garden terrace, from yoga to sound baths. Hosting little mini retreats out here has honestly been a dream of mine for a long time, and getting to watch it come to life every season still feels a bit surreal. If you have been wanting to slow down and reconnect with yourself, this is the place to do it. You can find all our upcoming wellness events in the gardens right here.
One Small Way to Give Back
If you want to bring a little bit of the Gardens of Hope home with you, our Hopeful Blooms Box was created in celebration of this exact space, rooted in beauty, generosity, and new beginnings. You can check it out here.
Why I Keep Coming Back to This Spot
I think what gets me most about the Gardens of Hope is how many different people find their own reason to be there. Some come for the animals. Some come for the butterfly house. Some come simply to sit by the river and reset for an hour. And some come to the respite cottage during one of the hardest chapters of their life.
All of it lives on these same twelve acres, and all of it is made possible because people like you choose to give. If you would like to help keep the gardens growing and the respite cottage running, you can make a donation right here.
If you have not visited yet, I hope this is the summer you finally do. Come walk the paths, let your kids run wild for a bit, say hello to the sheep, and take a breath. That is really all we want for you here.
Lots of love,
Marsha
