Uniquely Vegas is a series of articles and photos that VegasChanges.com is composing to showcase the many unique and offbeat things to see and do in the Las Vegas Valley, day trips and more.
On this venture we are visiting the Las Vegas Community Healing Garden, that was created to provide healing and remembrance for those affected by the tragic mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on October 1, 2017.
What is the Las Vegas Community Healing Garden?
The Healing Garden was constructed in four days by community volunteers and businesses in Downtown Las Vegas. It consists of several key elements that represent hope and healing:
- Remembrance Wall: A wall dedicated to the 58 victims of the shooting, with plaques displaying each person’s name, picture, and a brief biography.
- Trees of Life: Fifty-eight “trees of life” donated by Siegfried and Roy, symbolizing the lives lost during the tragedy.
- Tree of Life: An oak tree in a heart-shaped planter at the center of the garden, representing the unity of the community and adorned with tiles made by the families of the victims, survivors, and community members.
- Pictures and Offerings: A collection of pictures, flowers, and other offerings from the community to express their condolences.
The Route 91 Harvest Festival and the Shooting Incident
The Route 91 Harvest Festival was an annual three-day country music festival held on Las Vegas Boulevard. On October 1, 2017, a 64-year-old man (who we will not name), opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel onto the crowd, resulting in 58 fatalities and 851 injuries. The incident is the deadliest mass shooting committed by a single individual in U.S. history.
That day, and the days that followed, the community earned the newly coined phrase “Vegas Strong”. A book that features stories of the 58 victims can be viewed here (PDF File).
Is the Las Vegas Community Healing Garden worth a visit? Yes. It is a place for the public to gather and mourn, as well as leave mementos to celebrate the lives that were effected by this tragic event. It is free and open 7am to 11pm daily.
Address: 1015 S Casino Center Blvd, Las Vegas (The RTC Deuce Bus has a stop here)
