Access into the garden
No matter how great a garden design you may have, if people cannot easily access the garden then its use will be limited.
- The garden should be accessible from the main communal spaces where people spend the most time.
- There should be clear line of sight into the garden, with visual and physical access points easy to see and understand. Encourage people to use the garden, unaccompanied, as much as possible by maintaining easy access.
- All too often doors to gardens remain locked, and it is the staff’s decision if access can be granted. The aim is for free and easy passage to the garden at all times. Encourage open education and discussion regarding why staff feel it necessary to have these spaces locked. Challenge their current paradigm and address any real issues staff may have regarding safety of the garden and the people using it.
Thresholds and transition spaces
It is important to consider the threshold from indoors and outdoors and how this may become a barrier to accessing the garden. Equally important is to ensure a feeling of safety and confidence for easy transition back into the building.
- Contrasting coloured floor materials can create visual perception problems from inside to outside. Ensure floor materials are of similar colour shades between transition points. Avoid using black entrance mats, which can be perceived as holes or steps, instead opting for entrance mats that are of a similar colour to the actual flooring.
- Dramatic difference in light levels are experienced moving between indoors and outdoors. Ideally, indirect bright lighting should be used to raise luminance in the transition area to reduce different brightness levels.
Paths and wayfinding
When planning garden paths consider the following:
- Paths should ideally be a poured material such as limestone or concrete with a non-slip surface. Painted stencils can be used to create non-slip surface with a brick or stone pattern. Where possible, avoid using block paving or slabs that may move over time and create trip hazards.
- The path should be visually well defined. You can use a darker colour along the edge of the path to ease wayfinding and encourage people to remain on the path. Do not use darker shades at transition points or junctions as these can be perceived as level changes or steps.
- Paths should lead the person around the garden via points of interest or engagement, and back into the building with ease.
- Ensure adequate hand railing exists if path levels change or you wish to ensure people do not walk into high-risk areas.
- Garden paths (especially in residential aged care) should be wide enough to comfortably allow two people in a wheelchair to travel around the garden side by side, ideally around 1800mm wide. In a home garden, a width of around 1200mm wide will suffice for a wheelchair or mobility aid and carer.
- Minimise slip hazards on the path by regular clearing of leaves and jet washing of any mould or moss, especially in damp shady areas.
Seating
The key to garden seating is to make sure there is adequate seating around the garden in prime locations.
- Aim to have a resting place every 20-25 metres of distance along the path. Map out during the course of the day the best places to locate seating options to ensure a mix of shady and sunny spots are available. The use of bench seating around trees, especially deciduous trees, provides a pleasant dappled shaded area to sit in the warmer months and a warm sunny spot during colder months.
- Ensure seating is made of sturdy materials, is a reasonable height from the ground and has armrests for easy transfers from sitting to standing. Ideally, seating should sit at least two people comfortably. Seating can be further highlighted by using brightly coloured cushions.
- Plant sensory plants or features around the bench area to give both conversation opportunities and stimulation.
- Place seating so that the line of sight from the bench includes items or plants of interest, or spaces in the garden that have visual appeal. For example, consider a bench opposite the aviary or next to the children’s play area.
- Ensure there is a range of comfortable seating close to the garden and building transition space. Some people living with dementia may like to sit near the entrance doors to the building. This may be due to feeling nervous or the need for familiarity.
- Consider the use of a gazebo along the garden path. This should be able to sit at least 3-4 people in it and provide adequate shelter to protect from the elements. Utilise this space to create a sensory part of the garden by adding a water feature and scented plants around the gazebo area. Ensure accessibility by not having steps up to it and by ensuring the floor colour of the gazebo and joining path are the same or very similar.
Garden design checklist
Consider the following questions when designing your garden space:
- Can the garden be easily seen from the main living areas?
- Are curtains or blinds blocking the view into the garden?
- Is heavy fly screen or security mesh blocking visual access to the garden?
- Are doors easy to open and clearly defined as doors from both inside and out?
- Does signage help with wayfinding in and out of the garden?
- Is the transition point between indoors and outdoors of equal brightness and without confusing floor surface changes?
- Are garden doors locked? If so, find out why, address the issue and unlock them.
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