Introduction to Module Five: Creating a Welcoming Space

“I’ve been thinking a lot about equity and how to allow everyone to feel welcome in a garden-based learning program. I think that needs to be in the design process of any garden.” –Myra Manning, Maine School Garden Network Coordinator

Successfully engaging diverse community members is an important part of any garden project. Without diversity, the garden will lack representation from the whole community and thus will likely be less successful. Just as the garden is more interesting and beneficial with diverse plantings, a community project will have more sustained success with inclusion and input from diverse community members. Learn about Cultural Competency and Engaging Diverse Audiences (pdf) and visit the page about Effective Community Engagement.

Gardens should be designed so that they are accessible. “Accessible” has come to be synonymous with “accessible to wheelchairs,” but it may also mean a garden designed with sensitivity to visual impairment, varying degrees of manual dexterity, or varying levels of emotional/mental functionality. Accessibility may require having wide, uncluttered paths with beds that are easy for everyone to reach, or it may suggest that plants are accessible—again, having no “no” signs. It can also mean accessible to strollers. A garden that is too complicated, with plant species that are difficult to distinguish from one another, or cluttered with Latin names, may be inaccessible to children who are having a first experience with a garden. Often, accessibility boils down to “making everyone welcome.” Consider the abilities of volunteers as well as participants, particularly if the volunteers include older adults.

“Inclusivity is a critical practice in garden design and activity in that it ensures that all children irrespective of ability (cognitive or physical), age, gender, culture, language or economic status are provided equal access and are able to experience the garden as independently as possible, without stigma and with equal enjoyment and achieved success.” –Kaifa Anderson-Hall, former Program Director of the Washington Youth Garden at the US National Arboretum

Elements to consider for inclusivity:

  • Incorporate multi-sensory plant materials.
  • Use adaptive tools.
  • Include shaded areas and places of respite- everyone appreciates an opportunity to sit on occasion.
  • For signage, consider child-friendly images and multiple languages specific to the composition of users.
  • Integrate culturally specific or diverse plantings for production gardens that match the cultural composition of the users.
  • The entrance should be seamless to accommodate all abilities and sizes (no separate entrances).
  • Integrate true raised garden beds – those elevated from the ground, accessible for seated, independent and supported standing individuals facilitates the engagement of different physical abilities.
  • Consider including ADA compliant pathways or pathways wide enough for side-by-side movement and socialization for various degrees of aided (canes, walkers, wheelchairs) and non-aided (ambulatory) movement.

–Adapted from Kaifa Anderson-Hall, former Program Director of the Washington Youth Garden at the US National Arboretum