On Thursday, members of the Concord Garden Club and other volunteers got their green thumbs dirty putting to bed more than 700 plants, donated by Pleasant View Gardens in Loudon, in the new rooftop garden above Concord Hospital’s emergency room.

The garden was envisioned as a healing space for patients, their families and hospital staff.

“It is well understood that nature has a healing impact,” said Matthew Johnson, Concord Hospital’s director of public affairs. “As a regional referral center, we felt it was essential to provide an outdoor space where patients — particularly those who have been here for some time — might enjoy this extra element to support their healing.”

More than four years have passed since the lead donation was given by Concord Hospital Associates. Following that, the Concord Hospital Trust conducted a broader campaign of both financial donations and in-kind gifts.

The total cost of the project was expected to be more than $800,000 with monetary donations accounting for $550,000 of the total budget. The hospital has also received more than $200,000 worth of in-kind donations.

“Without the generosity of the many, many companies who stepped forward, from designers, engineers, crane operators, construction companies, rooftop suppliers and plant providers, this project would not have been possible,” Johnson said.

The garden will open to visitors after it’s been certified for occupancy, which is expected in mid-August.

— GEOFF FORESTER AND SARAH PEARSON/CONCORD MONITOR