Our Story
Nurturing Plants and People Since Day One
Portland Memory Garden is a therapeutic, dementia-friendly space thoughtfully designed to support overall wellness, connection, and reflection—for all.
Vision
History
Get Involved
Supporting the needs of a growing memory care community
The vision for Portland Memory Garden
The idea for Portland Memory Garden (PMG) arose in 1999 when the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) made a commitment to renew or create 100 parks throughout the United States in celebration of their centennial anniversary. At that time, dementia diagnoses were rising rapidly and a majority of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s were being cared for at home by loved ones.
ASLA selected Portland, Oregon, as a city for the creation of a demonstration garden. PMG was envisioned as a supportive, accessible space where older adults and individuals living with memory loss could enjoy nature alongside caregivers, friends, and the wider community. Designed with specific features to support older people— especially those with dementia and memory loss—to minimize the impact of disease symptoms and improve overall health.
The garden’s creation is rooted in evidence-based principles, including:
- Access to nature supports quality of life. Safe, visually appealing, stimulating outdoor spaces are essential for the health and quality of life of older individuals, particularly those with dementia. 1
- Dignity through engagement. Well-designed outdoor spaces create opportunities for meaningful activity, encouraging personal expression and preserving independence in groups of older adults. 1
- Sunlight nurtures the body and mind. Exposure to natural light helps raise vitamin D levels, improve mood,2 and support better sleep quality. 3
The garden was dedicated in May 2002 as one of eight memory gardens in the United States—and just one of two built on public land. The garden’s location was chosen for its low traffic noise, supportive neighborhood, the lack of accessible greenspaces in the area, and its proximity to nearby long-term care facilities, and adult homes.
Sources:
1 Van den Berg, Maayken E, et al. “Understanding the barriers and enablers to using outdoor spaces in nursing homes: A systematic review.” The Gerontologist, vol. 60, no. 4, 24 May 2019, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz055.
2 Beyer, K. M. M., Kaltenbach, A., Szabo, A., Bogar, S., Nieto, F. J., & Malecki, K. M. (2014). Exposure to Neighborhood Green Space and Mental Health: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(3), 3453-3472. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110303453
3 Düzgün, Gönül, and Asiye Durmaz Akyol. “Effect of natural sunlight on sleep problems and sleep quality of the elderly staying in the nursing home.” Holistic Nursing Practice, vol. 31, no. 5, Sept. 2017, pp. 295–302, https://doi.org/10.1097/hnp.0000000000000206.
From its earliest planning stages, the garden was created with evidence-based best practices to promote ease, safety, and gentle stimulation among visitors. Accessibility is supported through wide, paved pathways, familiar landmarks, wheelchair- and walker-friendly surfaces, comfortable benches, and an on-site restroom.
Central to this experience is the garden’s curated collection of seasonal plants and flowers, carefully selected to create a rich sensory experience—evoking memories and reflections of familiar landscapes across the Pacific Northwest. Raised plant beds ensure that visitors of all ages and abilities can engage closely with our plantings’ textures, colors, and scents throughout the year.
A Mission to Build Community
History of the garden
100 Parks, 100 Years
The Portland Memory Garden was founded as part of the “100 Parks, 100 Years” centennial celebration of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
The Development Team
The garden came to life through the collective expertise of a multidisciplinary team including horticultural therapists, dementia experts, accessibility-focused designers, and an environmental psychologist.
Organizations that collaborated on the making of PMG include the American Society of Landscape Architects, The Center of Design for an Aging Society, Legacy Health, Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Institute on Aging and the School of Urban Studies and Planning from Portland State University, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Community
Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply visiting—your presence helps this garden grow..
Several public, private, and non-profit organizations joined together with individual volunteers in the creation of PMG. More than 50 local suppliers and contractors donated their services along with three youth programs.
Friends of Portland Memory Garden also offers therapeutic horticulture programming focused on individual growth, nature-exploration, and enhanced well-being.
Portland Memory Garden is open year-round. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply visiting—your presence helps this garden grow!