October 5, 1999
LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Audio-Reader Network will dedicate its Audio-Reader Sensory Garden at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10 on the grounds of the Baehr Audio-Reader Center, 1120 W. 11th St.
A new garden path with engraved bricks will be dedicated, and a basketball signed by the 1997-98 KU men's basketball team and coaches will be raffled off. Proceeds from the raffle will be used to buy more plants and flowers for the garden.
The garden, funded entirely through donations, was started as a "Make a Difference Day" project in October 1996. It was conceived to provide an outdoor environment that was fully accessible to the blind and visually impaired. The plants and flowers in the garden are especially fragrant and tactile in nature, including scented geraniums, roses, garlic chives, pineapple sage, a variety of herbs, lamb's ear, pussy willows and many others. All of the plants are labeled with Braille markers for easy identification. Recent additions include a fountain, gazebo, wind chimes and bird feeders. The garden is open to the public.