Maria's Field Of Hope Will Be Back In Avon

AVON, OH — The iconic Maria's Field of Hope sunflower garden will again be planted in Avon this summer.

The announcement that the Prayers from Maria group — which supports research into cures for childhood cancer — would again plant a field of sunflowers on Chester Road, near Jaycox, came amid speculation the group would have to leave the field.

The land the group has traditionally used is owned by the Jacob's Group. Prayers from Maria has been able to use the land as long as it remains undeveloped. It was initially believed the land would be utilized in 2019, forcing the Field of Hope from the plot.

"Jacob’s has been very good to us for letting us use the land," Megan McNamara, the founder of Prayers from Maria, told Patch. "They’ve been very gracious to let us use it since 2013, while it has been undeveloped."

The Field of Hope activity at the site will commence with a ceremonial public planting on June 9. Anyone can come to the field and plant a sunflower seed (the seeds are provided by Prayers from Maria). The event usually lasts a few hours.

"It's a beautiful, neat event," McNamara said.

When in bloom, the field will create a sea of gold-topped flowers. McNamara hopes the flowers will cooperate by blooming in September, when the field will mimic the yellow ribbon of childhood cancer awareness month

She added that allowing the sunflower field to be planted again on the plot on Chester will give McNamara's organization time to locate and secure another location for 2020. She said community support will be integral to Prayers from Maria finding a new location for the Field of Hope.

"When we find a new location, we’ll probably have a campaign to fund the field. We’re confident that there are many people in the community, businesses and individuals, that will help support us. We will need that community support. It will be integral to the work we do moving forward," she said.

Anyone that wants to support Prayers from Maria and their search for a new field. Donations made through the group's website, and earmarked for the Field of Hope, will be used, 100 percent, on the creation and maintenance of the field.