Kent-Meridian High School Unveils Accessible Sensory Garden
A new sensory garden was dedicated at Kent-Meridian High School in Kent, Washington. The garden was made possible through a collaboration between the high school and Home Depot, which contributed $10,000 to fund materials for the project and provided volunteers to build it.
The sensory garden is designed to engage all five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. It features bright colors, soft leaves, edible herbs, rustling grasses, and fragrant flowers.
The garden was designed with accessibility in mind for students with mobility difficulties. The eight new beds are two feet high, allowing students who use wheelchairs or walkers to reach and touch things without having to bend down.
A communication board has been affixed to one of the beds for students who use alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) devices. The garden will also provide a hands-on learning experience for students, who will be able to plant, grow, and harvest produce, with crops donated to local food banks.