Library DrawingThe CONNector

JULY 2001Volume 3 Number 3

Eagle Scout Candidate Creates "Sensory Garden"

Carol Taylor, Director, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

James Dossot belongs to the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 170, Unionville, Connecticut. When he was looking for ideas for a project for his Eagle Scout candidacy he approached the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. He wanted something that would be meaningful and would benefit others. Of all the ideas the library suggested, a "Sensory Garden" was the most appealing . The idea was to design a garden which would come alive for people with different disabilities by containing plantings with color, texture and smell along with wind chimes and a water feature (future addition to be provided by the library) to bring sound and relaxation to the garden. Jim worked with landscape architecture students from UConn for the garden design. He contacted individuals and companies to donate the required materials: plants, stonedust for the pathway, soil and mulch. He recruited individuals to create the flower beds and the pathway, including persons who could provide the needed construction equipment.

The end result was much more than the library could ever have imagined. The garden design spans the entire front of the library on both sides of the walkway. Visitors pass by a weeping cherry tree, roses, bee balm, rosemary, lilac, hosta, coreopsis, ornamental grasses, daisies and rhododendron, to name a few of the plantings. A stonedust pathway leads off to the left across the front of the building past a bench to a turnaround for wheelchairs. The water fountain will be located in an area close to the bench with the wind chimes hanging under the eaves.

What a thrill it has been to see this young man in action, planning and organizing this tremendous undertaking! Jim has continued to monitor the plantings and has discussed with us the garden's maintenance needs so we will have a wonderful garden that our library patrons can enjoy for many years to come. He has the thanks of all library staff, patrons and volunteers and their best wishes as he proceeds through the final stages of his Eagle Scout candidacy. He has truly made a dream come true!

Photo of people working in the garden.Photo of people with a cart of dirt.
Volunteers creating the "Sensory Garden"

Plans for the Sensory Garden

Blue Print Plans for the Sensory Garden

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