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Enabling Garden

“Where Disabilities Become Abilities”

News From The Enabling Garden - May 2022

The Enabling Garden in Altoona (the newest of the Polk County Master Gardener gardens) is a work in progress. Started in 2002, the garden is a cooperative effort between the Polk County Extension District Master Gardeners and the City of Altoona.

The Enabling Garden is located at the Vern Willey II Trail Park.

The purpose of the Master Gardener Enabling Garden project is to provide an area that illustrates gardening for physically impaired individuals.

The garden will demonstrate state-of-the-art designs for barrier-free gardening.  

  • Through the use of design concepts such as raised beds and vertical wall gardens, visitors learn how gardens can be adapted to accommodate any gardener regardless of age or ability.
  • Signage throughout the garden explains details of the designs and construction methods used in making this a safe and comfortable environment for leisure activities, as well as horticulture therapy.
  • The Enabling Garden includes a meditative water feature, a raingarden, and many seasonal annuals and perennials blooming throughout the summer.
  • A highlight of the garden will be the George Washington Carver Learning Center where classes are held during summer months, starting with an Arbor Day Celebration in April.
  • Be sure to check the ISU Extension Calendar or the ISUE Polk County Yard & Garden home page for class list.
  • As a part of the Altoona city parks system, the garden can be reserved for weddings or other outdoor functions.
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