March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 31

Empowering Oasis
An Iowa city park offers a new enabling garden fully
accessible to all, regardless of physical ability
By Danielle Taylor

A

lthough parks are intended for everyone, sometimes it can be a bit
complicated to ensure that equal amenities are provided for people
of all abilities. In Davenport, Iowa, however, park planners recently
unveiled an enabling garden that levels the playing field for all users.
The idea for the garden stemmed
from suggestions sent in by participants in the city's Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation (AIR) programs,
which prompted park department
staff to look into possibilities for a
garden that could accommodate disabled and able-bodied users alike. In
nearby Illinois, the Chicago Botanic
Garden features the Buehler Enabling
Garden, which served as an inspiration for the Davenport garden. The
Chicago garden's accessible amenities include raised, shallow beds that
allow for wheelchairs underneath;
hanging baskets and vertical wall gardens that are easy to reach from a low
height; a level, firm surface that eliminates the maneuverability problems
associated with dirt or bricks; and

many other features that were adapted for use in Davenport.
Gene Rothert, program director
for Buehler and past president for the
American Horticultural Therapy Association, served as an advisor for the
Davenport garden, which was designed
by architectural and engineering consulting firm Shive-Hattery. Seve Ghose,
Davenport's director of parks and recreation, worked tirelessly with the city
council and ultimately secured funding
for the $500,000 project. Ground broke
for the new 1,300-square-foot garden
in May 2012, and it opened to the public last October.
" The garden is ideal for the able
and disabled, along with the offering
of hands-on opportunities to patients
recovering from life-altering trauma

to engage in productive therapy, "
says Kenneth Asta, CPRP, experience manager for the City of Davenport Parks and Recreation. " It's fully
accessible-all parts of it-including
the permanent planting beds, seasonal beds, large pergola, fountain, closet containing storage for tools, sink,
doors, and gate. It is also paved with
permeable pavers instead of concrete,
adding a green element to the garden.
" It has been well received by the community, as it is available as a wedding
site, therapy site, learning site, and site
for respite and relaxation, " Asta continues. " The special needs community is
especially excited about the opportunity
that the enabling garden presents in its
first summer of operation. "
Davenport's enabling garden is
located in the city's historic Vander
Veer Botanical Park, which opened
in 1885.
Danielle Taylor is Associate Editor of Parks &
Recreation (dtaylor@nrpa.org).

W W W. N R PA . O R G | M A R C H 2 0 1 3 |

Parks & Recreation

29



March 2013 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2013 - Parks & Recreation

March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 1
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 2
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 3
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 4
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 5
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 6
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 7
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 8
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 9
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 10
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 11
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 12
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 13
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 14
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 15
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 16
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 17
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 18
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 19
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 20
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 21
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 22
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 23
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 24
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 25
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 26
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 27
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 28
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 29
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 30
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 31
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 32
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 33
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 34
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 35
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 36
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 37
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 38
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 39
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 40
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 41
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 42
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 43
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 44
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 45
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 46
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 47
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 48
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 49
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 50
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 51
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 52
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 53
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 54
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 55
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 56
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 57
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 58
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 59
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 60
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 61
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 62
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 63
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 64
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 65
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 66
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 67
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 68
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 69
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 70
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 71
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 72
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 73
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 74
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 75
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 76
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 77
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 78
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 79
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 80
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 81
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 82
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 83
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 84
March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 85
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2009
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com