An inclusive, sensory garden and play-scape accessible to everyone.

Launching Saturday 1 June 2019
Free, everyone welcome

See below for more details.

Draft plan by Katie Ellen Fields

Artist and horticulturalist Katie Ellen Fields collaborates with Milton Keynes communities in Open Garden; an animated and engaging public artwork taking shape as a sensory garden and interactive play-scape within the grounds of Milton Keynes Arts Centre.

Situated within the space will be raised beds tall enough for wheelchair users to easily sit to prune and maintain the plants, with each bed displaying a carefully curated display of colour, smell and touch. Wind chimes will feature within a hanging garden lining the Northern corner, along with bird boxes in surrounding trees to create an orchestra of sounds.

Designed by and for communities with disabilities, Open Garden sets an example of how garden spaces can bring accessibility and inclusion to the forefront of play in Milton Keynes.

Open Garden is supported by funding from Milton Keynes Community Foundation.

Garden Furniture Painting with MK Snap
Thursday 4 April 2019
10am–3pm     

 
Katie Ellen Fields and MK Snap transform our Open Garden benches into bright and inviting garden furniture. Block colour painting each piece of furniture to aid those with impaired vision and sight loss to easily navigate the seating areas.

Painting Raised Beds with MK Snap
Thursday 2 May 2019
10am–12pm

Katie and MK Snap continue to add colour to our garden furniture. Painting each edge and border in one colour will aid those with impaired vision and sight loss to easily navigate the seating area and raised beds.

Planting with MK Snap
Thursday 16 May 2019
10am–3pm

      
MK Snap and gardener Katie Ellen Fields begin bedding down the plants for Open Garden, finding the perfect spots around the garden.

Open Garden – Launch party
Saturday 1 June 2019
12–3pm          

Free, everyone welcome

Seed Bomb Making workshop
6 April 2019
12–3pm, drop-in
Free family workshop, suitable for all ages
Book your free place now

Join artist and horticulturalist Katie Ellen Fields and make a selection of seed bombs for Open Garden at Milton Keynes Arts Centre, brightening our empty green spaces with an explosion of wild flowers and colours. Using a combination of compost, flower seeds and clay families will create small ‘bombs’ which can be thrown into patches of green, releasing pockets of seeds which will eventually turn into a micro habitat for bees, moths and insects – as well as creating a beautiful floral landscape.

Be prepared to get messy and please bring gardening gloves if you prefer.

Seed Sowing workshop
20 April 2019
11am–3pm
Free family workshop, suitable for all ages
Book your free place now

Come along and help us to sow calendula, chives and sunflowers in pots for our Open Garden project. With support from artist and horticulturalist Katie Ellen Fields, you will help our Open Garden bloom into a vibrant sensory garden and play-scape, to be enjoyed by all of our community.

You'll also be able to take prepared pots home and watch your flowers grow.

Be prepared to get messy and please bring gardening gloves if you prefer.

Bird Box Decorating
4 May 2019
12–2pm
Free family workshop, suitable for all ages
Book your free place now

(Please book one space per family)

As part of Open Garden; Milton Keynes Arts Centre’s sensory garden and accessible play-scape, we would like to encourage all kinds of sensory play and as many natural elements as possible, such as bird song.

Great Linford Manor Park has a vibrant array of wildlife living across its green spaces, including protected Crested Newts, Green Woodpeckers and many more species of bird, mammal, insect and amphibians.

Come along and help us with a little D.I.Y decoration, as we paint our pre-made bird boxes for Open Garden, welcoming in our feathery friends into our backgarden.