The Springfield Botanical Gardens will soon have a garden accessible to anyone.
Friends of the Garden, an extension of the Botanical Gardens, which is leading the project, is calling the area the Sensory Garden because it emphasizes the balance of the five senses for residents with sensory disorders.
Friends of the Garden Executive Director Lisa Bakerink, who is spearheading the construction process, said "this garden is really designed for people to interact with nature, regardless of what their ability level is."
Friends of the Garden has announced that they have completed the first phase of the construction, an entryway to the garden, using funds from donations.
The group is looking to raise $5,000 more in donations to help fund the completion of the Sensory Garden. The donations will go towards building wheelchair accessible pathways, raised garden beds and plants for the beds. The project is part of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ campaign, #causemocheer, and donations can be made at causemomentum.org.
Friends of the Garden would like to complete the Sensory Garden in 2019 and open it to the public the same year.