Inclusive Spaces
Andromeda aims to be a fully inclusive community space.
Rochelle’s Garden A new, unique and much-needed space, fully accessible for wheelchair users and connecting art with our cultural and natural heritage.
Rochelle!
We always meet extraordinary people. Rochelle is one of them. A series of strokes and being unable to walk didn’t stop her from her passion – gardening. She’s even created her own YouTube channel – The One-handed Gardener. Truly inspirational
Rochelle’s Garden – Concept
A space for those with mobility issues and it will eventual be a sensory garden catering for a range of people with special needs. The deck is single-level with easy access into our community arts project building. Many visitors will be able to access various spaces independently.
Rochelle’s Garden – Open!
Rochelle’s Garden is fully-funded by Sandals Foundation. The garden is a microcosm of the larger Andromeda, with the emphasis on attracting wildlife. The beds are colour banded with plants that are drought-tolerant. There is no lawn. Huge thank you to Frontline Trading who provided additional decking when we realised the wheelchair navigation needed just that little bit more space!
Entrance into Andromeda is free for wheelchair users and one carer.
Andromeda Mural
Pupils from Irving Wilson School have painted most of the wildlife on the mural (concept image below, the wall dividing Rochelle’s Garden from the Composting Zone). The grid enabled us to create the image on the wall with much more confidence! The mural shows some of the wildlife found at Andromeda.
Our volunteers are amazing. Denzil started with painting the blue/grey background. Sandra is a gem. This is one of the trees she painted – a bearded fig!
Yep. The pupils painted butterflies – monarch, gulf fritillary, with hummingbird and mongoose.
GlobalResolve
And then the students came! Through our relationship with our partner at BERP, GlobalResolve and the students from Arizona State University built a roof (for shelter and additional workshop space), trellis frames, propagated jasmine – all to add to the sensory experience in Rochelle’s Garden.
The Hope
Our hope is that Rochelle’s Garden and the connected spaces become areas for workshops, yoga, performances etc. in which wheelchair users can fully participate. We also intend to develop this garden into as complete a sensory experience as possible with scented flowers and foliage, audio and tactile experiences, and anything else we can think of, without compromising the beauty of this accessible space. We want everybody to learn from this space where the plants and the art can tell stories!
African Connections Garden – ACG
A new garden is coming, and we are excited. The ACG is being built quite close to Rochelle’s Garden. What does this mean? Wheelchair users will be able to experience even more of Andromeda Botanic Gardens. It gets better. Whereas Rochelle’s Garden is very inward-looking with the focus of attention being within the space, the ACG feels huge as it overlooks the Ethnobotanical Garden, and there are ocean views. We are very excited about this and really happy that we’re able to share this new garden with wheelchair users. Access is through a door in the mural of Rochelle’s Garden, onto a landing then through our Propagation Zone, across a secure drive then into the upper part ACG where there will be two accessible decks. Yay!
Shorter Walk
Andromeda is built on land that slopes towards the Atlantic Ocean, making full accessibility difficult. For those with mobility issues, such as people with walking sticks, there is a much shorter walk – also suitable for those who only have a little bit of time to explore!
There are still steps and stepping stones but the walk is less steep. There are handrails at certain points and some seating throughout the journey. This walk takes the visitor through the Heliconia Walk, the walk through to the Palm Garden, down to the edge of the White Garden, up some steps to the Aroid Garden, then returns to the start. It is wonderful.
Heliconia Walk
Depending on the levels of mobility, there are definitely spaces for all to enjoy and marvel.
Andromeda Botanic Gardens 