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Arc of Greater Boone County to build sensory garden along Big 4 Trail; grant covers half the cost
Summary
The Arc of Greater Boone County says it has secured a matching grant to build an accessible sensory garden on a vacant parcel between Titus Bakery and the Arc along Lebanon's Big 4 Trail, with a target completion date of Sept. 30 and features designed with people with disabilities in mind.
The Arc of Greater Boone County has secured funding and is moving forward with construction of a sensory garden on a vacant parcel along the Big 4 Trail in Lebanon, Indiana, between Titus Bakery and the Arc facility, officials said.
"There will be a sensory garden at that parcel of land that you're talking about right along the Big 4 Trail in between the Arc Of Greater Boone County and Titus," said Joe LePage, Lebanon communications and community development director.
Pam Verbarg, executive director of the Arc of Greater Boone County, said the project is funded through a 50/50 combination of a grant and local fundraising. "What had happened is we were able to get a 1 80 in color grant that the Boone EDC helped us obtain. And that grant, it paid for 50% of the garden, and then we were able to fundraise the other 50% and match, to be able to fund it this year," Verbarg said.
The garden is being designed to engage all five senses and to be accessible to people of varying abilities. "Absolutely. We envision it. 1, it's going to be accessible so everybody can get to it, and it will include some raised beds so that individuals that we support can not only enjoy the garden, but participate in the care of the garden," Verbarg said. The plan includes raised planting beds, picnic tables, benches and a central gathering area described in planning materials as a "sun tea station."
Designers and local artists worked with Arc clients and artisans during planning. Verbarg said the artists spent an afternoon with self-advocates and incorporated their feedback on colors, smells, textures and sounds into the schematics. The Arc also plans for some of the artistic elements to be produced by the organization's artisan program.
Officials said site preparations are imminent and planting will follow. Verbarg gave a project target for completion: "This summer. So the completion date right now is September 30." The timeline remains subject to normal construction risks, and speakers noted there is not yet a fixed construction schedule beyond site-preparation work.
The project team said the garden is intended to be open to the public at no charge and to serve a broad cross-section of residents, including families visiting the nearby WIC office and participants served by the Arc. The Action Club, a group of self-advocates affiliated with the Arc, is raising funds for additional benches by collecting bottle caps in partnership with the Boone Regional Waste District.
Speakers also discussed a possible future phase to address a small garage on the parcel, including replacing siding and adding a mural, but said that work is not part of the current construction plan.
No formal municipal vote or ordinance was reported during the podcast. Boone County Economic Development Corporation staff were credited with assisting the Arc in securing the stated grant.
Organizers said they will share updates as construction progresses and plan a ribbon-cutting or public opening once planting and installation are complete.
