To create an exciting & stimulating space filled with colour, scent & texture for all to enjoy. With wheelchair compliant paths & raised beds for all to experience, learn & discover through nature.
https://www.spacehive.com/the-streatham-rookery-sensory-garden
The Rookery Gardens are a gem & a sanctuary for the community of South London. The Old English Garden sits at the lower tier & is a wonderful example of the Edwardian style of formal structure with informal planting. This will be continued & developed in The Sensory Garden, which will be located either side of the Covington Way entrance into The Rookery, an area of the garden that has been waiting for a purpose. Working with British Home, a charity supporting people with neuro-disability; formal, wheelchair compliant pathways will run in between beds filled with soft, natural planting & accessible raised beds. Plant’s that will stimulate the senses for all to enjoy. Reaching out to the wider community, the garden will be used for workshops, volunteer groups & art projects. A space for discovery & to learn about the environment around us. In addition, we will provide clear signage from the entrance to The Rookery to The Sensory Garden, creating a truly accessible experience for all.
What we’ll deliver:
- Wider engagement in the community: school’s, organisations, volunteer groups, art projects, workshops
- Build raised beds & wheelchair compliant pathways
- Repair the traditional paving leading to the sensory space
- Plants & planting
- Signage across the site
Why it’s a great idea:
The Sensory Garden will allow access & the ability to experience the therapeutic benefits of being amongst sensory plants & nature to all. The path & raised beds will create a learning environment for anyone who wishes to discover the joy of gardening independently or simply to enjoy its beauty & calm. The garden will be a sensory experience for all the senses, which will be particularly beneficial to children with autism & adults with dementia. It will enable us to develop an area of the garden to create a space for workshops, art & gardening projects & to expand our volunteering sessions. It will allow us to repair the original paving & improve the signage throughout the garden, creating easy access for all. The compost used on the raised and ground beds will be provided by The Composter, a new NFP operating onsite and producing high quality, weed free compost from our organic waste produced on site. This project furthers our commitment to sustainability and carbon reduction.
Steps to get it done:
- Build raised beds
- Lay paths
- Repair paving
- Plant beds
- Opening Sensory Garden to the public
