New Wheelchair Accessible Garden for Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens

In 2024, Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens partnered with Kumler Outreach Ministries and United Methodist Foundation to receive a $25,000 grant from Aetna for a wheelchair accessible garden. This project was designed by garden manager Carey Smith, with significant input from two local wheelchair users, Missy Norman and Katelyn Montgomery.

Construction began in October 2024 with the pouring of a concrete pad that holds six raised beds that are designed specifically for wheelchair users. These beds from Green Circle Garden (https://greencirclegarden.com/) are designed to maximize growing area with a wheelchair sliding beneath the surface instead of alongside the bed. The beds are also self-watering. An easy-open side gate was installed adjacent to this garden, along with a concrete ramp from the sidewalk to the concrete pad.

A brick walkway was installed through the front entrance, with the materials graciously donated by Sexton Landscape Concepts. The front gate was raised and a wheel was installed for easy access by wheelchair users by Randy Jackson, a volunteer from Kumler. A 50′ concrete sidewalk connects the brick walkway to the concrete pad, with a spur to run alongside the water spigot.

The garden also has a tool shed with ergonomic tools and wheelchair-accessible picnic table with shade in the garden area. A new information display area will be constructed that will also be accessible to wheelchair users.

The beds are part of the personal plots area, and will be rented for $10/year. The rental fee includes access to tools, water, seeds, seedlings, and garden mentoring upon request. If you are a wheelchair user or are unable to use traditional raised beds due to any reason, please contact the garden manager at  to be placed on a waiting list for a rental.