When Miracles for Children's Miracle Manor in Orange, Calif., a residence specifically designed to help critically ill children and their families navigate difficult times, needed an outdoor landscape design they turned to Lifescapes International. With six decades of experience in landscape design, the firm was selected and brought onboard the project on a pro bono basis.

"This needs to be a special place, a place of sanctuary," said Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, "Don't start with the least expensive garden we can do attitude, but rather, remember it's purpose and remember that this could be the last home, the last memory of an ill child's experience."

Miracles for Children approached Lifescapes in late 2015 with a specific need, a landscape design suited to provide a sense of comfort and stability. The firm designed the overall garden space to be welcoming and relaxing, while providing a place for residents to feel at home. The facility is located walking distance from Children's Hospital of Orange County. Lifescapes created several play areas, with plenty of shade and lush plant life. Lifescapes specified the use of artificial turf to provide a soft garden space surface for the children to play on. Edge plantings were layered with material that tolerates some abuse while providing a safe and playful environment.

The ribbon cutting for the fully installed landscape was held on July 19, 2016.