GoFundMe effort seeks to restore Ohme Gardens after windstorm

WENATCHEE — The Friends of Ohme Gardens, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization created to help maintain Wenatchee’s beautiful Ohme Gardens, has reached out to the community for help after the windstorm late last month.

The storm downed decades-old trees and broke branches completely off others, and left a path of destruction down the historic Gardens’ pathways and delicate landscaping.

The challenge is as unique as the Gardens themselves, however. A large portion of the affected trees are on the steep cliffside that can be seen from the highway below. In order to safely remove them, a helicopter must be used to airlift the giant trunks to a safe area.

Fundraiser organizer Lisa Hartvig says that the helicopter-based cleanup effort “comes with a substantial cost, but it is the safest and most effective way to remove the trees without causing further damage to the gardens.”

All of the funds will go directly to tree removal and trimming, including the helicopter services; restoration of the landscaping and pathways; and general cleanup and debris removal throughout the park.

Ohme Gardens is a Wenatchee destination that’s been evolving into the mountainside oasis it is today since 1929, when Herman and Ruth Ohme began building the Gardens.

Those interested in donating can do so at this link, or you can call the Gardens directly and leave a message (an answering service is set up during closed months, from October 15 to April 15, when the park will open again) at 509-662-5785.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media