New Hope Community, a nonprofit that supports individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, has announced the completion of Andrew”™s Garden, a 1.5-acre sensory exploration garden at the center of the organization”™s Loch Sheldrake campus.
The garden is curated for the people served by New Hope Community, its employees and visitors. The space was designed to use nature and other elements to evoke the five senses, thus making it accessible to people who experience the world in different ways. The garden the named after a resident who has lived at New Hope Community since May 2012.
“This space is so much more than just a garden,” said CEO Debra McGinness. “It”™s a way to further our mission to make outdoor spaces accessible and inclusive to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It”™s rare to find parks and natural settings that are both accessible and offer a sensory reprieve from the world, so we wanted to create our own space that encourages relaxation and connection with nature. We are so grateful to our donors for helping make this a reality.”
Photo: (From left) New Hope Community CEO Debra J. McGinness, Board Chairman Robert Dinerstein, parent and supporter Michael Linden and NHC Foundation Board Chair and New Hope Community Board Treasurer Stephen Skillman at the opening of Andrew”™s Garden.
