Park Nicollet Melrose Institute

Melrose Institute is a world class facility designed to treat patients with eating disorders. The City of St. Louis Park and Park Nicollet asked Damon Farber Associates to lead the master planning phase of the project to incorporate the existing center with their vision for a future public facility, public trails and possible sculpture garden. We worked collaboratively with all parties to insure that the buildings, parking and pedestrian circulation worked together harmoniously. Along with Park Nicollet, we then led the site planning effort to design a Therapeutic garden that would be on par with other international facilities. Our team facilitated meetings with over 20 therapists and doctors, administrators, developers, facility maintenance experts and the design team to create a space that is fitting for one-on-one therapy sessions but also accommodates group activities for up to 15 patients. The garden incorporates a labyrinth, water feature, stone walls, comfortable seating, arbor structure, garden plots for active participation in the garden and a donor’s plaza.