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Wickham Park is a non-profit, private foundation whose property extends into both Manchester and East Hartford, Connecticut.
The park contains 250 acres of gardens, open fields, woodlands, ponds, picnic areas, sports facilities, and other attractions.
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Wickham Park is excited by a new challenge we are now embracing which is to develop a sensory garden, providing inclusion for
all visitors and the best possible natural environment for any individual with physical or mental limitations.
It would expose guests to the underappreciated value of the five main senses as well as the "sixth sense".
At the same time it would stimulate children and adults to appreciate the range of their "senses" and the wonders of nature.
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We have created a generalized site plan which would locate this facility near our nature center and restrooms, aviary and convenient parking.
The development of an area of over one half acre is being devoted to this project. After researching this type of facility and their locations,
it appears that this would be the largest sensory garden in New England and one of the largest in the United States. However, as we all know bigger
does not always equal better. That is why the staff is devoting considerable time to the planning of this unique addition.
We intend to have the sensory garden become our premier garden facility. We have done extensive research on this subject and the main point stressed
was to involve the potential users (and/or their personal assistant) of this type of facility in the design and development phase. Hence, we are working
with a variety of agencies that advocate for persons with disabilities.
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Garden Lovers: We hope you will consider joining our efforts to develop this exciting educational garden facility as a contributing supporter.
To fulfill our expectations for this garden in a timely fashion, we are seeking agencies and individuals who are interested in outdoor education,
accessibility and inclusion issues, assistive technology, therapeutic gardening, or enrichment for persons with disabilities. There are a number
of specific components that might interest you which will be part of the garden design:
Walkways, patios and retaining walls
Fencing
Irrigation system
Electrical hookups
Plant materials
Signage
Structures: gazebo, pergolas, gateways
Sculptures, interactive displays
Assistive Technology, i.e. Braille and audio stations
Paving
For more information or to make a donation, call (860)528-0856 or email to info@wickhampark.org
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