While walking along the riverfront, specifically, Water Street of downtown Newburgh, Indiana, many of the locals will know and have visited the popular “God’s Garden” for various occasions.
It was built in the Wilsbacher family’s backyard in remembrance of their adopted grandson, Luke, who died from unexpected heart failure.
The family does not call it their own garden as they say it belongs to God.
Many people use this beautiful location to take pictures of their families, students use it for pictures during Prom season, and it is even used to host weddings.
This garden has been opened for prayer and meditation for the local public and many people love to take a visit there to enjoy the landscape, flowers, and scenery.
Just this week, this popular small town garden was vandalized with carvings in the furniture, broken table legs, and slashed cushions. As a result, the family feels that it is not safe anymore.
The whole community is upset with the actions of the people who did the vandalism with such disrespect for the town and for Luke, and the garden entrance is now barred, with Luke's special spot just to the side.
The Newburgh Police are searching for the people, and until found, the garden will remain closed.
As a local and individual who has seen and visited the garden many times, I know that the family took very good care of this space and always left it open for the public to enjoy.
I never would have thought a place of such peacefulness and made in memory of such sincere remembrance would have something so violent done to it.
Some people think vandalism is funny and that they will get a good laugh out of it with their friends, but it is never okay, especially when done to a place of such importance, not just to Luke’s immediate family, but to the whole town of Newburgh.
With hope, police will find out who did this and the garden will be repaired so people can begin enjoying the garden again for the purpose it was made for.
