Find a Sacred Place near you.

Last night I dreamt marvelous error. That I had a beehive here inside my heart and the golden bees were making white combs and sweet honey from my old failures.

Wounds can be openings

Cracks let the light in

This park has been designed with love — and with love, it grows every day.

Katie

Dear Bench,

Thank you for giving people so much love and safety. I feel more connected to everyone sitting here today. I am here with someone I love and that is a blessing.

Love the drawing

— Camilia

MY LOVE

MY CURIOSITY

MY HEART

sits beside me, reading

nature sacred

bench stories.

If everyone took some time out of their day to be with their thoughts and focus only on the next turn I think we would be more content with the present + unconcerned with the winding road ahead, all paths lead to you + your inner self!

I am enjoying the nature after a really long day. If you're reading this, I hope you the best and remember that you are enough.

You only live once.

Trying to get some sunshine to break up the long days indoors working from home. Coming here makes me feel less alone. Really looking forward to bringing my friends here for summer night firepits.

Cemeteries are thought of as places of death but each time I read these names, I'm reminded they stand for a life. A life of love, hope, sadness, joy, pain, hapiness, exploration, being. I leave knowing I must live before I die.

Peace and Blessings To all!!! Happiness shall be poured upon the World. Heal The World. Make it a Better Place, For You and For Me and the entire Human Race! :)

– The perfect stranger

After a long day of hard work, relax here and let all worries go away.

– Holly

Thanks Bench,
Me and my partner found you, well you found us in which you gave us a peace of mind to love each other an enjoy the weather an everything around us. Thanks, see you again

– Love, The Shorty Family

Today I'm Blessed
Woke Up Breathing And Living Life

I dreamed of a beautiful garden space at JSU and it has come to be true. I hope that every person who visits this space leaves with a sense of peace and joy.

Blessings to all who visit this space.

– Julie Nix

Muddy ground squishing beneath my feet. The sun shining high above the clouds. Touching my soft warm skin. Making me feel full of joy.

– Bookwriter

Hi my name is Ella. I am 7 and I love this plase becus this book breegs all of are feelings togethr.

Past issues do not have to be your present issue. Keep moving forward.

Rebuild and move on.

We save the bees, we save our trees, we save ourselves!

– Jessica G.

This was fun and peaceful. I remember when I went a couple years ago, this has always been my thing.

Saw a t-rex today in the labyrinth. Here is a photo. Mom doesn't believe me.

– Jacob

HOPE! Everyone needs a little hope and faith. I didn't exspirence this tornado but I just resently visited the park for the first time since the tornado ripped through. The park in more beautiful than ever.

– Hannah Powers, Age 14

What a beautiful, sunny day. This weather always gets me so inspired. I'm so thankful for this organization and the people I work with. I feel like I am really able to be myself + grow in new skills. I'm excited for what the next year will bring. So exciting!

What a wonderful surprise to find a chronicle of humanity! Ingenious idea… been spending the day learning about the cardiovascular system and continually realizing the genius, complexity, and miracle of the body and of being alive. Today I am thankful for a body that gets to experience this world. Heaven is on Earth after all.

No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and I will bless the Lord at all times. And with faith we will prevail. Amen

– Mena + Warren

I just got let go from my job. This is the first place I went to. This bench and this little path always make me feel so much better.

I think I just got an offer for a new job! The weather is warmer! Will update soon…

Everything and everyone has a purpose! You were a shelter for plants, a shelter for people and now a place for solitude and rest. Thank you for serving for 200+ years. Your place here in this small park with Sequoyah is a perfect place to be. Very peaceful & restful place to be in this hectic world. The simplest things in life are often times the best. Thanks again for allowing me to rest in your comfort and escape from the ultra busy lifestyle of everyday life!

– Ray Uptagrafft, Guntersville, AL

I've been wanting to come here when I lived in Eastport. I never had/made the time. Now, I live in Arnold. I had my children in car and was stopped at the light. I pulled in and let the kiddos run around while I stole a quiet moment. Thank you, ARC, for the solitude in this crazy world.

– Y.P., single mom

The wood feels alive. I know it's technically not, but I feel the lifeforce of this universe coursing through it into me. I feel the power to create. More (and less) than that, I feel the power to just sit and be with it.

– Patrick

William & John, Mommy, Daddy + your sister Danielle are here today for "A Baby To Remember Service." It is always nice to celebrate "Our Angels." Though it has been so many years (14 + 17) it still hurts. We think of you both everyday. We love + miss you both very much.

– Love, Mommy

This too shall pass…

In this fast changing world it is important to pause and have a place to think. To connect. To appreciate. As I sit here I can feel my body relax and my heart rate fall. I see more details, I hear what I previously could not.

47 years around the sun that now has my skin damp with sweat. Sun streaming in between building on this the 3rd day of spring. The sun parts the buildings like the warmth it brings has split the cold and rainy days of this week. I am happy to bask in the first warm day of spring… and a bug just bit me.

These gardens are beautiful! What a blessing to our community. I'm here for Flower Power today and am looking forward to working with the kiddos and learning something new! I hope to spend more time here.

Happy New Year to anyone reading this in 2020! I'm feeling thankful for the golden sunlight and blue sky on this chilly, windy day! The last time I saw one of these journals was in the Congressional Cemetery in SE DC. It was such a gift to discover it and read the honest entries from all sorts of people. Sending love to you, reader, wherever you are and wherever you're from.

– Daniel

You are lucky
You are blessed
Your a living miracle
Your a living testimony
without fear, vow to share
Be BOLD
BE BRAVE
Easy Does it…
Keep ya head UP!
one day @ a time
Divine Intervention send chills down my spine

– Love Always, Jane Austin

It is with great pride that I write this note of memorial. I visited this tranquil place today and had the opportunity to write my thoughts on the concerns of this neighborhood. My prayers and now vow to assist in cultivating this neighborhood is now connected with yours to see to a brighter future for our children. God Bless!!!

– The Wilson Family

this bench is as fresh as flowers and as cool as my xbox 360

There is something comforting up here among the dead, away from the city yet still comforted by the sounds of humanity mixing with the chirps of the birds. It is a sort of busy, alive, noisy, calm, dead + relished solitude.

– Ky

Tree Of Wisdom
Set healthy boundaries for yourself because no one else will!!!
Love yourself & be confident in who you are.. because no one else will!

Dear God,
Please watch over my patients.

– MD

Despite knowing they won't be here for long.
They still choose to live
their best and brightest lives

– Sunflowers

When weather permits I always have my daily lunch outside in the garden. All the different smells & different insect life amaze me. I love all the different colors & different variety of the plants & flowers. The garden is a safe space to think, cry, or pray if that's your thing.

– Ang.

So happy to find this beautiful space and bench!! The peace was definitely flowing!

– Luz

Beautiful space… Thanks to all the people who contributed to make this happen. Sacred and open indeed!

– June 13, 2016

What a lovely spot! We are new to this neighborhood & feel so welcomed. Thank you for caring about protecting nature here! xoxx

Hello Universe,
This is Cachet. Thank you for always keeping me and guiding me in this world. As I sit here and write this I know that even greater things are to come. I believe all my dreams will come true. I look forward to visiting this place of peace again soon.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

It's overcast with a slight breeze. A beautiful June day. My kids are happy & playing, laughter & squeals fill the air. The birds are chirping all around & the steady roll of the creek while sitting on this bench relax me. I feel grounded after a stressful day at work yesterday. This is what I needed… this bench… to disconnect for even a moment. Nature is beautiful.

Happy Garden to Reflect on Life when a Loved one is in Dire need! Thanks

– Lance

Thank you to everyone who imagined, designed, built, fund-raised and loved this project into being! I hope to have something like this in my own neighborhood soon.

Thankful for Public Sacred Nature Space to enjoy
The sound of water is soothing

Thank you so much for the trails and details. This is my favorite place on campus. My service dog loves the break too. It's definitely the best place to relax after all the appointments and PT, plus a little PT in itself. Best place to get my step count and relax my mind.

– SGT Gardner

Ms. Taryn and Caroline are enjoying this beautiful ambience. It is such a delight to work here!

There is always something good in a bad day. You just have to find it

– Juliana

We Did it!!! Thank You Friends of "Unity Park"

The place has an energy.
Stone-henge in a sylvan way.
May you find peace here, as I did today.

This is a wonderful idea. It has helped me today to remember a mission I chose decades ago and had all but forgotten from discouragement & frustration & impatience. I want to re-commit myself to striving for "a more loving & a healthier world" for all people and all living things. Thank you for your kindness to the world

– John W.L.

Thank you for putting this park here for us to hang out in

– Bubblez

Wake up every day and Smile :)
For every day above ground is a blessing

– Shakira, Clean + Green

Journaling in the courtyard on a Saturday A.M. after breakfast. Clouds covering the blue skies and nice breeze. Good feeling of ease.