St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children in Norfolk has a garden designed to enrich the lives of children residing in this unique facility – Virginia’s only pediatric long-term residential care facility exclusively for children, newborn to 21, with severe mental and physical disabilities. This state-of-the-art facility for 92 residents, one of a few nationwide designed exclusively for providing care in a home-like residential environment, opened in 2005.
Two large courtyards with floor-to-ceiling windows enable over 6,000 residents, family, visitors and staff to interact with nature or enjoy gardens from inside. In 2008, Harborfront Garden Club began working with staff and Girl Scout Troop 5067 on a new Butterfly and Sensory Garden in the courtyard near the main entrance. We planted plants from our own gardens, donated plants and $500 in plants we won in a national website contest. We funded the installation of a fishpond – especially popular with the children. Now more plants are needed as well as irrigation, paved walkways to accommodate the wheelchair-bound children and low-voltage lighting to view the garden at night.
The physical and emotional demands on the children, families and dedicated staff are significant. Full access to the garden will allow children to experience nature’s wonders while providing respite for all who visit, work and reside at this outstanding facility serving all of Virginia.
