Baker’s Sensory Garden Continues to Bloom

Led by Dr. Julie Stringe, special education teacher, the sensory garden is a special outdoor space designed to engage the senses in a peaceful atmosphere. Located along a frequently used walkway outside the building, students naturally stop to explore and interact with it throughout the day.

“It encourages exploration within the garden and hands-on learning opportunities through a variety of sensory experiences, including but not limited to sight, sound, touch and smell,” Dr. Stringe said. “They enjoy smelling the lavender plants, listening to the wind chimes, feeling the textures of the river rocks and moss panels, and observing the colorful little creatures that call the garden home.”

The project has become a true community effort, supported by students, families, Baker Principal Dr. Patrick McClintock-Comeaux and the Baker Parent Teacher Association, which helped to provide financial support to get the garden up and running. 

“Over the years, students have played a meaningful role in the process by helping design a blueprint for the garden, building planter boxes, planting flowers, and caring for the space by pulling weeds and watering the plants and flowers,” Dr. Stringe said. “My own family has helped care for the garden after school and throughout the summer months. Together, we designed and built sensory panels that now hang behind the garden, adding additional visual and tactile experiences for visitors to enjoy.”

Beyond its beauty, the sensory garden has become a meaningful learning experience for Baker students – demonstrating that when they put their minds to something, amazing things can happen. 

“Through teamwork, creativity, planning and hard work, they were able to watch an idea grow into something real and meaningful,” Dr. Stringe said. “It has helped teach our young learners that their ideas, dreams and contributions truly matter.  It has become a beautiful little space filled with curiosity and wonder.”

As the garden continues to evolve, Dr. Stringe hopes to add even more interactive elements and sensory experiences in the future.

“My hope is that it will continue to be a welcoming and calming space where students, staff, families, and community members can connect with nature, reflect and take a moment to recharge,” she said.