evaluation of a pediatric rooftop garden using the Healthcare garden evaluation toolkit

Problem statement

A large pediatric hospital in the northeastern United States created a rooftop garden as a therapeutic space for patients, families, and staff. A post-occupancy evaluation was performed to understand if the garden was meeting both the original design goals and the needs of the users.

Methodologies

The Healthcare Garden Evaluation Toolkit (HGET) is a multi-method evaluation toolkit. It includes a comprehensive audit tool, the Garden Assessment Tool for Evaluators (GATE), that assesses therapeutic garden environments across five domains: Access & Visibility; Sense of “Being Away”; Nature Engagement; Walking & Activities; Places to Rest. The GATE is used in conjunction with observational behavior mapping, a staff survey, and user feedback. Interviews were also completed with key figures in the garden design, implementation, and programming.

deliverables

Findings were synthesized into a report, presented to the board of the pediatric facility. Specific interventions included improved wayfinding from the facility’s entrance and main areas, additional shade structures, charging stations, and informational signage about plants and other garden features.