York library unveils new sensory garden for visitors and wildlife

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 13:03 · Archive

Huntington Library in York has opened a new sensory garden created by community volunteers to welcome visitors and support pollinators.

Huntington Library in York has unveiled a new sensory garden built in less than one day by community volunteers, Explore York and local businesses. The project was led by library manager Lee Barlow and funded by a grant secured through the corporate giving platform Neighbourly. The transformation was necessary because the two garden beds at the library had become neglected and overgrown.

Around a dozen volunteers from GoodGym York, the library's operational team and the wider community worked alongside garden service Rooted Gardening York. The sensory planting scheme was designed by Kate Mathews of Rooted Gardening York. The garden features vibrant colours including purples, oranges, pinks and white accents, with plants selected to appeal to visitors' five senses: sight, sound, smell, texture and taste. The plants are also pollinator-friendly.

Library manager Lee Barlow praised the effort, saying the scheme would welcome visitors to the library and benefit local wildlife. He credited the grant from Neighbourly but said 'it's taken a lot of people working together to make a sensory garden a reality'. Kate Mathews noted the library's location next to a children's playground and opposite a primary school made it central to the village community.

York library unveils new sensory garden for visitors and wildlife — Image: The Press (York)

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How it is being reported

York library garden transformed for visitors and wildlifeHuntington Library in York has unveiled a new sensory garden, created by community volunteers to welcome visitors, support wildlife and attract pollinators.The Press (York) · 22 Oct, 12:30
York library garden transformed for visitors and wildlifeHuntington Library in York has unveiled a new sensory garden, created by community volunteers to welcome visitors, support wildlife and attract pollinators.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 22 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Huntington Library · York · Lee Barlow · Jo Shanks · GoodGym York · Kate Mathews · Rooted Gardening York

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