Growing with Love: Updates to Ava’s Garden

Ava’s Garden was established in 2018 as a living tribute, a space where families could gather, kids could play, and healing could happen in the simple beauty of nature. Over the years, it has become more than just a garden or park. It is a place filled with love, memory, and purpose, built in honor of Ava and her spirit that continues to inspire so many.

For Ava, parks were more than playgrounds. During her cancer treatments, when life was filled with hospitals, tests, and limitations, parks became a refuge. They were a place to breathe, to try new things, and to simply be outside in the sunshine. Even though her body often limited what she could do, Ava’s determination never wavered. She loved to try, to laugh, and to be part of the moment.

Our family traveled across the Midwest during those years, finding parks and gardens wherever we could. Each visit was a chance for a little normalcy, a little joy, and a lot of healing. Toward the end of her life, when Ava relied on a wheelchair, we experienced firsthand the challenges of accessibility. What most people take for granted, like paths, play, and freedom to explore, becomes a struggle. That experience has fueled our mission to make Ava’s Garden a place where every child, every family, and every ability feels welcome.

That is why we are so grateful to share the latest updates to Ava’s Garden. With the help of generous grants, community partners, and incredible supporters, we have added an accessibility path, sensory play features, and musical equipment. These additions are more than upgrades. They reflect Ava’s love of music, her joy, her resilience, and her love for the outdoors. They make sure children of all abilities can play, explore, and heal.

None of this would be possible without the hands, hearts, and generosity of so many. From local organizations and businesses to volunteers, donors, and event participants, you have helped us grow Ava’s Garden into something truly special. Thank you for believing in this mission, for honoring Ava’s memory, and for giving families a space where love and healing can bloom.

Ava’s Garden will always be more than a park. It is a place where her story lives on, where her joy is felt in the laughter of children, and where her legacy continues to grow with every flower, every path, and every smile.

More details here: https://livingavasway.com/living-avas-way-foundation/avas-garden/