I am proposing to create and curate The Garden of Ages; a horticultural tribute to the Divine Feminine in all living things. A cultivated natural space in the still beating heart of Detroit, a caretaker, healer, companion; a constant presence. Visitors can follow the paths, commune, meditate, and be mindful both together and alone. The Garden of Ages is a botanical reflection of the cycles of birth, life, and death which supports those who consciously and subconsciously hold space for our collective traumas, our collective healing. It is a new secular sacred space, for us all. A 3 acre sensory healing garden made for Detroit, on Belle Isle, by a Detroiter.
Put another way, the GOA is a new 3 acre secular sacred public healing garden in the still beating heart of Detroit.
I say still beating heart of Detroit because we, the residents, are the life blood of the city and we are STILL here; loving, working, fixing up old houses, being vigilant, asking questions about the status quo, and yes, gardening despite the bankruptcy, influx of new people, infrastructure failures, floods, and crime. And we ain’t going nowhere either!
I say secular sacred because the garden is for humanity, it’s not based in any religion, belief, or dogma other than we are going to honor the land with good stewardship and create a safe place for us to hold space for each other. We are seeking a balance using nature as our guide.
I say healing because having such a space would allow us all to be children again and relive the best parts or experience them for the first time. By using our senses; smell, touch, hearing, and sight we can tap into our inner emotions and address them consciously.
Three acres is the correct size to give a spacious immersive feeling with many different paths and experiences to be had, it ensures maximum accessibility, let’s face it there are thousands and thousands of grassy lots and plenty of multi acre parking lots here so we do not need to be stingy or short change the GOA on land.
But perhaps I’ve misplaced by energy in pursuing this dream, I’ve been holding on to it and trying to push it forward since 2009? Maybe people are not interested in having such a purposely created space in Detroit? Is there a desire for a new place that is not a vice-based dispensary or bar? Well, at any rate, I’ve started the conversation, please feel free to politely comment.
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