“Design is a skill which is not about exclusivity but about inclusivity. 

It uses a process of conversation and understanding of resources that relate to the site and the lifestyle of a family to bring a space to life through thoughtfulness. 

The design of this garden was centred around the movement of a wheelchair which has created circular and fluid forms which have a distinct beauty and pleasure unique to this space. 

Rather than treating accessibility as an attachment to space treating it as a driver to explore space creates something dynamic immersive and beautiful. 

The planting design has a similar spirit of inclusiveness, richness for ecology, productive elements and effervescent flowers are included to create a space that is extravagant and verdant though small and domestic and that could be created on the smallest of budgets” 

– Xanthe

OPEN 9am - 10am Saturday and Sunday EXCLUSIVELY for wheelchair users. Single garden entry $10 payable at the gate or visit 3 gardens for $25 or pay $40 for an Access pass to visit all 12 orange and green wheelchair user friendly gardens.

The very generous owners of this beautiful garden have offered to open their garden one hour before the public opening time each day; from 9am - 10am Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th November - specifically and exclusively for visitors in wheelchairs. 

As heard on RNZ National today - an interview with Jesse Mulligan and Garden DesignFest co-organiser Deb Hardy

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018868586/wheelchair-accessible-garden-tours

And as seen and heard in STUFF yesterday, an interview between journalist Olivia Shivas and garden owner Kate Paterson:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/130560646/accessible-garden-allows-wheelchairuser-to-smell-the-roses-or-the-coffee