Sensory Garden

The idea for the Sensory Garden at BAYarts grew from both responsibility and imagination. As part of the Cleveland Metroparks’ ADA Transition Plan, we began looking closely at how our historic campus could better welcome visitors of all abilities—not just by removing barriers, but by creating places of true belonging. That work was enriched through participation in LEAD conferences in Atlanta, Denver, and Boston, where national conversations around accessibility, inclusion, and creative placemaking challenged us to think beyond compliance and toward possibility. What emerged was a shared vision: an outdoor space that engages the senses, invites curiosity, and reflects BAYarts’ belief that the arts are for everyone.

To help guide that vision, BAYarts convened an advisory group of artists, educators, accessibility advocates, and community members who worked thoughtfully through the planning process. Their insights shaped the initial phase of the Sensory Garden, completed in late 2025, grounding the project in lived experience and long-term purpose. We are deeply grateful to the Friends of BAYarts Auxiliary Board for their extraordinary fundraising efforts throughout 2025, as well as to the sponsors listed below and the many generous donors who helped bring this first phase to life.

This garden matters because it reflects who we strive to be at BAYarts: inclusive, welcoming, and inspired by creativity in all its forms. The Sensory Garden offers a place where artists and students can slow down, observe, and engage with texture, sound, scent, and light—elements that fuel artistic practice. Just as importantly, it serves as an outdoor classroom and gathering space, extending learning beyond walls and reminding us that art, nature, and community are deeply connected.

Looking ahead to spring, we know there is still more to do. The next phase of the Sensory Garden will add more sensory-friendly plants and trees, welcoming benches, garden art, and other elements to further enrich the space and deepen its impact. These additions will help the garden fully come alive as a place of beauty, reflection, learning, and connection. We invite you to donate to support this next chapter and help us continue growing a garden that truly belongs to everyone.