Brighton Memorial Library
585-784-5300 Rochester, NY
Carol Heininger Wahl Memorial
Children’s Literary Garden
The Carol Heininger Wahl Memorial Children’s Literary
Garden is located on the south side of our library and
can be seen from inside the Children's Center. The
memorial garden was made possible with major gifts
from Brighton Memorial Library donors Thomas R.
Wahl, Jr. and Katie Wahl Sullivan and from Shubhangi
Gandhi of Razak Associates, LLC, with contributing
support from other donors.
The design of the garden evolved around the central
theme of children, literature, and nature. Located just outside the Children’s Center, the garden features meandering paths, perennial beds, shrubs to attract butterflies and birds, ornamental trees, quotations from children’s literature related to the plantings, benches for relaxing, and a child’s sized amphitheater for warm-weather storytimes.
The free-form stamped concrete walkway forms the core of the design. The main entrance is emphasized by freestanding timber structures, and a walk through them lends perspective and draws the eye into the space beyond. Undulating berms provide enclosure and lead to the grassy steps of an amphitheater nestled between the trunks of two trees for naturally canopied outdoor storytimes.
The trees, shrubs, and flowers are native species that are easy to identify in a dynamic seasonal landscape. Color, texture, smell, and form play an important part in the array of flora.
We welcome you to our garden and hope you will stroll, relax, read, and enjoy our four-season display.
Rachel's Fairy Garden Library
Young and old will enjoy Brighton Memorial Library's
newest addition -- a sweet fairy garden filled with little
animals with a penchant for reading, windchimes, fairy
lights, and a stone home for the tiny critters.
Named Rachel's Fairy Library, the garden was created
in memory of Rachel Axelrod. Rachel was a Friends of
BML Board member, Books Sandwiched In committee
member, and book sale volunteer who helped sort
donations and do Internet sales. She spent her working
years as a middle school librarian and during retirement
could be found attending storytime with her grandchildren. She loved the outdoors, her family, her faith, good chocolate, and great books.
The fairy garden was designed by BML Circulation Manager Jennifer Mancuso. Russell Cragg, Friends of BML member and garden volunteer, created the stone house. The little animals, windchimes, and tiny lights were donated by several of Rachel’s friends.
Library visitors can view the fairy garden from inside and outside the library. From the inside, enter the Children's Center and walk straight toward the wall of windows. The fairy garden is just outside the window on the far right.
From outside, meander through the Carol Heininger Wahl Memorial Children's Literary Garden. The fairy garden is by the Children's Center's first window.