Sensory Garden and Mindful Peace Garden

Sussex County educator Lisa Hirkaler from Vernon Township School District, was awarded a $10,000 grant to carry out a project at Vernon Township High School and Glen Meadow Middle School in Vernon.  

The primary task of this program is to rehabilitate two courtyard interiors to the high school. One courtyard will be called Sensory Garden 1 and will be rehabilitated as an art and sculpture installation and interaction space. The second, called Mindful Peace Garden 2, will be renovated as a place of meditation, rest, and recuperation with a koi pond and trees. Both areas are available to teachers as outdoor classrooms or meeting spaces.

The project will be documented by a photographer/videographer. Staff will be meeting virtually, in-person, and will be reaching out to local vendors and a quarry to involve the community. The hardscape will include a koi pond deep enough for fish to bed down for the winter.

The first phase is the seating, shade, and art building phase. Eight grade Art Club students will be making sculptures to take with them to the high school, as well as a few seniors 2020. The second phase will include landscaping and installation.

For more information, contact:

Lisa Hirkaler, Project Coordinator
(862) 266-3957 (home)