Kitchener-Waterloo·Photos

Gratitude garden of painted rocks grows in front of Guelph General Hospital

A growing number of painted rocks with messages of thanks and well wishes is growing in front of Guelph General Hospital.
Colourful rocks like these have started appearing in front of Guelph General Hospital in a 'gratitude garden.' (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

There are a growing number of brightly coloured rocks in front of Guelph General Hospital.

The rocks are part of a gratitude garden. The rocks have been painted with messages of thanks and well wishes for healthcare workers.

Jaclyn Gordon posted in the Facebook group Guelph Rocks that she started the garden "in hopes of raising the spirits of our front line workers and showing them our support in these troubling times." 

The gratitude garden is in front of the hospital's emergency department doors. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Others have since added to Gordon's initial rocks.

She asked people who want to leave rocks at the garden to maintain a physical distance from other people near the hospital.

The first rocks were placed in front of the hospital about a week ago. Since then, more have been added with various messages. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Last week, a video sent to CBC Kitchener-Waterloo showed people in The Barrelyards in Waterloo banging pots and pans to support frontline healthcare workers. It's part of a worldwide initiative during the growing COVID-19 pandemic.