#accessiblegreenspaces — Public Fediverse posts

How to Make a #SensoryGarden—the Landscaping Trend That Engages All 5 Senses

The growing trend is designed to help you #ConnectWithNature and practice #mindfulness.

Madeline Buiano, May 9, 2025

Excerpt: "Benefits of a Sensory Garden

Gardens are always beautiful, but there are many reasons why sensory gardens are specifically beneficial for the body, mind, and soul, including the following:

- #Accessibility: Everyone can enjoy a sensory garden. 'Equally, people with #disabilities can benefit from a range of sensory opportunities,' says Rebecca Lane, arboretum supervisor at #KewGardens. 'Visually impaired people, for example, can explore through touch, smell, and sound.' People with hearing impairments can enjoy the space through touch, smell, and taste.
- Mindfulness: The elements of a sensory garden help people practice the principles of mindfulness. 'The sense of touch sends a signal to the brain and nervous system, and we focus on feeling,' says Langelo. 'We start feeling in the present. We focus on a particular plant, and that becomes our world at present. This is mindfulness. It is a state of being present.'
- Stress and anxiety relief: 'In helping to awaken all five senses, these gardens reduce stress and anxiety for any individual and allow the individual to focus more clearly on their environment, which is the sacred space within the garden,' says Langelo."

Learn more:
https://www.marthastewart.com/sensory-garden-8403999

#SolarPunkSunday #InclusiveSpaces
#SensoryFriendlyGardens #Inclusivity #SpendTimeInNature #NatureHeals #AccessibleGreenSpaces

Green solutions for crisis: how #UrbanGreenSpaces enhance #CommunityHealth

Yuliang Wang, et al.
06 May 2026

"Urban green spaces (#UGS) are vital for public health, especially during crises like the pandemic. While previous studies have explored the link between UGS utilisation and health, the complex interactions between UGS access, demographic factors, and health behaviours remain underexamined, particularly in Northwest China, where UGS are extremely shortage. This study, conducted in NW China’s core city - #Lanzhou, investigates how the pandemic influenced public engagement with UGS and its subsequent effects on public well-being in three #parks. We found that the pandemic spurred increased park visits, reflecting a heightened awareness of their health benefits, yet also exposed access inequalities, especially among those reliant on motor vehicles, and that proximity, commuting methods, and urban infrastructure significantly impact park usage, with frequent and prolonged visits correlating with improved health outcomes and higher willingness to pay (WTP) for parks, especially among younger, educated, and longtime locals. Conversely, increased travel time discourages engagement with UGS, highlighting the need for #AccessibleGreenSpaces. Notably, landscape characteristics like cohesion and patch density play a critical role in health benefits, with cohesive landscapes supporting more significant health improvements. Interestingly, even those with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking, report substantial benefits from park use, suggesting the #RestorativePowerOfNature. To enhance UGS accessibility and maximise health benefits, urban planners should focus on creating #PedestrianFriendly environments, improving #PublicTransportation links, and incorporating health-promoting features in park designs. The findings call for urban planners to focus on enhancing #accessibility, #connectivity, and diversity in park designs, tailored to the unique needs of urban populations, making parks more #inclusive and #resilient spaces for all urban residents. This study provides critical insights into the role of urban parks during crises, offering guidance for #UrbanPlanning and public health strategies in similar urban settings."

Learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-026-07437-z?fromPaywallRec=false

#SolarPunkSunday #MoreParks #MoreGreenSpace #Microclimates #GreenInfrastructure #OpenAccess #OpenAccessJournals #LivableCities #BuildingCommunity #China #GreenerCities #HealingThroughNature #SpendTimeInNature