“This place is a strange, incredible vortex of that creative spirit of life. Anybody who resonates with that spirit, you’re part of this.”
Marci Wayman
By the hands of many
Our Circle of Creation
Marci
Marci’s family goes back generations in Oregon. Her father and his siblings used to play here as children, just as she and her children did when they were young. The magic of the gardens and the people who visit light up her heart every day, reminding her of the goodness of life. It’s a deep honor for her to have the chance to steward this land and live its spirit of welcome with everyone who visits.
Charles
Charles was born and raised in Bend. He has always been a lover of rocks, nature, and people. So, it makes sense that he heads up the board of directors, helping to make the magic happen here on every level! He embodies the delightful spirit of the garden, and cherishes the opportunity to care for the community. He shines so bright in how he invites visitors into his infectious joy for life and love of the garden.
Rebecca
A Bend local for life, Rebecca is a sprite of imagination and fun, and you can feel it in everything she creates! She can quickly tune into the spirit of a place, person or idea and give creative support to what’s wanting expression. Getting to head up our connection with the community as both secretary of the board as well as through social media tickles her heart. Look for the little gnomes she creates and hides in the monuments! You’re the cutest, Becky! ;)
Joe
Joe has lived as a downtown Bend restaurant chef, family man, farmer, and runner. When not at the garden as genius-on-tap, he serves up lots of love and yum as personal chef, event caterer and as a holistic nutritionist. He envisions a future full of fresh veggies and people happy to eat them. He gushes about the Rock Garden ‘adventure’ as an opportunity for people to envision their own kind of bright future and then work together to usher it into being.
Our Work
New owners and volunteers have breathed life and vision into this beloved Central Oregon roadside attraction over the past few years, engaging the community in efforts to clean and restore its features, share its rich history, and plan for its future.
Main House Restoration
Finished being built in 1927, this grand house was the belle of the ball in the community. Rasmus and his wife hosted many gatherings and tea parties in this home in order to foster connection. We have just begun to clean it up, and we look forward to not only hosting community dinners there but inviting in visitors for tours to learn about the history of the garden.
Garden Clean Up and Maintenance
The garden was full of flowers and meticulous landscaping during its heyday. Right now, we are busy cleaning up the land, pulling weeds, and hauling off trash. It takes ongoing work to keep up the garden, and the more volunteers to make this place beautiful the better! Please reach out to help — we’re a cast of characters and we love getting to know other rock nerds, beauty makers and people lovers!
Antique Cafe Restoration
We can’t wait to reopen the diner! We’ve given it a new paint job and a thorough cleaning, but it needs a full face-lift! From restoring the old vinyl chairs, to new flooring, a new kitchen and an updated septic system, there is lots to do. But there’s also a lot of inspiration from the many visitors who can’t wait to get back inside for a cuppa joe and a slice of pie. Peek through the windows to see the old menu and its 1960 prices!
Pond Clean Up and Maintenance
The beautiful ponds are irrigation fed from spring through fall. Dragonflies and froggies play among the pink lilies, and we look forward to freeing up more space in the big pond so that we can bring back the swan boats for visitors to paddle around in. It will take a lot of cattail pulling and cleanup to make that happen, so please let us know if you want to dive in!
Our Vision
Our vision goes beyond simply restoring Rasmus' original dream. We aim to build upon it, fostering an even deeper sense of belonging—honoring his intent to create a space where people feel connected to both the land and one another.
Some of our projects include:
Creating a community garden that integrates a sustainable ecosystem, including chickens, to promote harmony between nature and people.
A teahouse offering hand-crafted tea blends made from ingredients grown in the community garden and other creative ways to bring community together.
A space for community events, farm-to-table meals, and celebrations that foster a deep connection to the land.
Ready to Share the Vision with Us?
We’re looking for volunteers to help preserve and enhance the beauty of the rock garden! Join us in maintaining this unique landmark, contributing your time and energy to restore its features, care for its gardens, and support its ongoing legacy. Whether you have a green thumb or a passion for history, there’s a way for you to get involved and make a difference. Come be part of this special community effort and help us keep the rock garden thriving for future generations!