The Enabling Garden: Therapeutic Horticulture Programs at Riverwood

Home
Therapeutic Horticulture Programs

Nature for all!

The Enabling Garden at The Riverwood Conservancy is a hands-on teaching garden that is fully accessible and innovatively designed. Since 2012 we have been providing gardening- and nature-based programming for people of all ages who live with physical, cognitive, and/or mental health challenges. In 2019, the Sensory Path was added adjacent to the Enabling Garden to allow those living with vision loss to safely experience nature through touch.

What is Therapeutic Horticulture?

The Enabling Garden utilizes therapeutic horticulture – the use of plants, gardening, and nature-related activities to enhance an individual's mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Therapeutic horticulture gives participants a sense of accomplishment; develops their social skills, confidence, and self-esteem; aids with strength, mobility, and hand-eye coordination; and diminishes isolation.

Enabling Garden Features

A and T frame planters allow participants using wheelchairs, walkers, or scooters access to the bed without having to twist their bodies.
Raised beds create access for people who find bending, stooping, or reaching difficult, and wide edges provide seating for those who cannot stand for prolonged periods of time.
Taller planters with wide edges provide support for participants who want to improve their balance, strength, and stamina.
Tactile elements like herbs, flowers, vegetables, dwarf evergreens, rocks, and fossils give participants who may have challenges accessing Riverwood’s trails a chance to connect with nature up close.

"The Riverwood Conservancy staff were excellent, always providing answers to our questions prior to the visit. Our tasks were interesting and appropriate to our group, and our instructor was so supportive, kind, and considerate of our special needs students."

Accessibility and Terrain

Both of our classrooms – inside Chappell House and the MacEwan Field Station – have an accessible, gender neutral washroom with changing area. Washrooms inside the Visual Arts Mississauga building are accessible and include infant change tables.

Around our park, terrain can vary with uneven trails and paths, and hills of ranging inclines. If you have program participants with limited mobility, please let us know ahead of your program. With advanced notice, we can have an all-terrain wheelchair available for use during your program.

For Schools

We're here for your K-12 class of special education students. Our therapeutic horticulture programs are suitable for students of all abilities, and can connect them to the wonders of nature.

Booking for Schools

For Community Groups

We'd love to welcome your community group to Riverwood! Our therapeutic horticulture programs are suitable for people of all ages and abilities who want to experience nature.

Booking for Community Groups

For Individuals

Tailor a therapeutic horticulture session with our Therapeutic Garden Coordinator to fit your unique needs and interests. Please get in touch to discuss a customized program.