At MORA, we know that our employees bring passion, creativity, and dedication to everything they do, both at work and at home. Today, we’re excited to celebrate one of our own, David, whose incredible backyard oasis recently earned top honors in Twin Cities Live’s Best Backyard contest.
David and his wife transformed what was once a yard of dirt and clay into a breathtaking zen garden over the past 25 years. Their labor of love was featured on Twin Cities Live after winning the contest, earning them recognition for a space filled with winding trails, water features, lush gardens, and peaceful places to relax.
The project didn’t happen overnight.
When David and his wife built their home 25 years ago, the yard was a blank canvas. They began with the idea of creating a dry stream bed and gradually added new plants, pathways, and water features year after year. One of the garden’s most unique spaces—a beautiful Zen garden—was inspired by the circular sand base left behind after they removed their above-ground pool once their children had grown.
Perhaps even more impressive is that every element of the landscape was built by David and his family. From the gardens and trails to the decks and sunroom designed for enjoying the scenery, the entire project reflects years of planning, hard work, and a shared vision.
While David is quick to give credit where it’s due, saying his wife is “the motivating factor (and the brains) behind most of our gardens,” his dedication to the project is unmistakable.
That same commitment is something we’ve been fortunate to experience at MORA for more than three decades.
This year marks approximately 32 years of David serving individuals and families across our organization. He began his career helping open and manage some of MORA’s very first community group homes, later led our SSP Crisis Unit and Respite Program, and for the past decade has served as a Behavior Outreach Specialist with our MCCP program.
Although he jokes there isn’t much of a connection between his work and his gardening hobby, there is one memorable overlap. Early in his MORA career, while helping establish our first off-campus homes, David often found himself taking care of the yards and gardens at those homes as residents settled in. Looking back, it may have been an early hint of a passion that would continue to grow for decades.
Whether he’s supporting individuals in the community or creating spaces that bring peace and beauty at home, David exemplifies the care, patience, and dedication that make MORA such a special place.
Congratulations, David, on your well-deserved recognition! We are grateful for your 32 years of service and proud to celebrate this exciting achievement with you.
Want to see David’s award-winning backyard for yourself?
Check out the Twin Cities Live feature and take a tour of his stunning St. Bonifacius zen garden oasis.