Sensory garden proposed for Serendip Sanctuary

AN ALL-abilities sensory garden is beginning to take shape at Serendip Sanctuary in Lara, with draft designs developed for the new space.

The garden’s draft design from Parks Victoria proposes five main spaces, each with a focus on one of the five senses (feel, see, smell, hear and taste).

From brightly coloured flora in the ‘See’ space, to vegetation with various textures in the ‘Feel’ space and edible bush foods in the ‘Taste’ space, the garden will be user-friendly for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

It will also feature accessible pathways and resting spots for visitors to explore and relax in.

Parks Victoria district manager David Petty said the new garden would provide more ways for people with diverse abilities to connect to nature.

“This investment into the You Yangs Regional Park and Serendip Sanctuary will provide more opportunities for these growing communities to enjoy accessible, green spaces close to home,” he said.

“By delivering on recommendations outlined in the You Yangs Precinct Master Plan, we’re working to protect and celebrate this special landscape while strengthening the visitor experience.”

The garden is being created as part of an $11 million investment from the Victorian government.

An additional $45,000 is being provided through a sponsorship with CDC Victoria, CMV Truck & Bus and Volvo Bus Australia.

Parks Victoria is working with community, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and key stakeholders to plan other initiatives to be included and delivered as part of the investment program.

A landscape architect has been appointed to lead the design development for these later works.

To find out more, head to parks.vic.gov.au/projects