Grant will bring healing and sensory garden to Malone Park

Grant will bring healing and sensory garden to Malone Park

A healing and sensory garden will be constructed in Malone Park in Downtown Sikeston.

At the end of 2022, the Bootheel Regional Board of Realtors was approved for a $5,000 Placemaking Grant. With the grant money, a healing and sensory garden will be constructed in Malone Park, in Downtown Sikeston, by Fall 2023, and is a partnership between the Bootheel Regional Board of Realtors and the Historic Downtown Sikeston Garden Club.

The hope is to create a beautiful space filled with plants with sensory or healing properties, such as lavender, rosemary, sage, etc., for people to sit and reflect. Ornamental trees, a pergola surrounded by wisteria and dwarf grasses will be added to enhance the visual esthetic. This space could potentially be used for photo opportunities, weddings or other events, to bring people together.

Healing and sensory gardens have been found to be beneficial for people who are struggling mentally, emotionally and/or spiritually. The sounds of nature are soothing for those with Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, and veterans returning to civilian life. These gardens encourage exercise, promote serenity and well-being, lower blood pressure and reduce stress, anxiety, sadness, and other negative moods. They have also been proven to improve immune functioning. (March 27, 2023)

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