Express & Star

Sensory garden guide relaunched at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich

An interpretation board, containing the history of the Sensory Garden at Dartmouth Park as well as photographs and details of those who have helped raise funds and care for it, has officially been unveiled.

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With the new sensory garden interpretation board, at Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich, members of Friends of Dartmouth Park, including (front left) secretary Carol Hartill and members of Sandwell Visually Impaired Group, including (front right) development worker Sandra Troth with guide dog 'Jangles'

The board, which also includes a panel with details in braille, replaces an original map which over the years had fallen into disrepair.

The Friends of Dartmouth Park started working on developing a Sensory Garden when the Park in West Bromwich was restored.

It took two years to raise the £40,000 and work started on the garden in May 2011 with an official opening in November 2012 and since then it has proved popular with visitors.

The Friends group continue to care for the garden and volunteers work on maintaining the site.

Annette Welch, treasurer and a volunteer with the Friends group said: "Originally we had a map for the visually impaired but over the years this has disintegrated and the braille could not be read.

"This has been the result of a partnership with the Sandwell Visually Impaired Group.

"The interpretation board includes details and photographs of the original volunteers, of the group earlier this year, and the history of the site.

"It tells the story of the community that came together and of the people who made it happen.

"The Sensory Garden is a stunning and colourful place to sit at any time of the year and is very popular with visitors to the park.

"The Friends group formed in 2008 and raised the £40,000 for the garden which officially opened in November 2012.

"The board has been financed by Sandwell Council's access department and is a thank you to all those who have helped and continue to help with the garden."

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