Evaluating a children's hospital garden environment: Utilization and consumer satisfaction

The Leichtag Family Healing Garden at Children's Hospital and Health Center , San Diego was planned and built as a healing environment space for patien ts, families, and staff. A Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) was conducted to determine whether the garden was meeting the goals of reducing stress, res toring hope and energy, and increasing consumer satisfaction. Results from behavioral observations, surveys, and interviews indicated a number of bene fits of the garden. The garden was perceived as a place of restoration and healing, and use was accompanied by increased consumer satisfaction. Howeve r, the garden was not utilized as often or as effectively as intended. Chil dren, parents and many staff members recommended changes for the garden, su ch as the inclusion of more trees and greenery, and more interactive 'thing s for kids to do. In addition, the majority of family members surveyed thro ughout the hospital did not know about the garden. Based on the findings, r ecommendations for changes were developed. to promote better use of the gar den. These research findings can be used to guide the future planning, desi gn, building, and subsequent evaluation of garden environments in children hospitals and pediatric settings. (C) 2001 Academic Press.