Intentionally designed for reflection, regulation, and renewal, DUG’s therapeutic gardens are growing and grounding spaces. Nestled within schools, mental health facilities, and community centers, they offer something rare in today’s world: space to pause, to feel, and to heal. With sensory plants, shaded seating, space to breathe and self-guided activities, our therapeutic gardens support healing in all its forms—mental, emotional, and physical.
Therapeutic Gardens
WHERE HEALING TAKES ROOT*
WHERE HEALING TAKES ROOT*
WHERE HEALING TAKES ROOT*
WHERE HEALING TAKES ROOT*
WHERE HEALING TAKES ROOT*
WHERE HEALING TAKES ROOT*
WHERE HEALING TAKES ROOT*
WHERE HEALING TAKES ROOT*
Here, tending the soil becomes a way to tend to yourself.
Gardens for Purpose
TG gardens are created with purpose— the sensory garden and free play spaces are woven into DUG community gardens or built as standalone features. They are designed to engage the senses, encourage exploration, and promote emotional and social health. Through sensory-focused elements and hands-on activities, these spaces invite people of all ages to connect with the natural world in meaningful ways.
Hands-on Programming
In addition to creating the spaces, DUG works with on-site participants and staff, modeling the garden as a teacher and making adaptations to create belonging and accessibility.
Interested in adding a DUG TG to your space?
Community Collaborator Designs: DUG partners with local organizations to design customized therapeutic spaces that reflect the needs of their clients and to train the on-site staff to use the therapeutic garden to meet specific client goals.
DUG’s Therapeutic Gardens
DUG’s Therapeutic Gardens Program (formerly the ‘Therapeutic Gardens Initiative”) launched in 2023, crafting gardens thoughtfully in partnership with organizations to meet the specific needs of the communities they support.
→ Earl Lee Evans Sensory and Community Garden at Firefly Autism
“Firefly,” as the garden is called, is dedicated to celebrating the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum through learning, support, and solutions. The therapeutic garden provides the Firefly learners with not just a natural space but also ways to access critical emotional regulation tools, which has reduced stress for both their caregivers and the Firefly staff. Learners can experience nature and gardening in a safe and supported environment and participating in the garden has led to an increase the tolerance of nutritious foods for selective eaters.
→ The Tennyson Center for Children
The Tennyson Center for Children partners with kids and families impacted by neglect, abuse, and trauma. The therapeutic garden offers connections to outdoor experiences for neurodiverse children, supporting their social-emotional learning, wellness skills, restorative justice practices, and relaxation. It also provides a relaxing place for staff to enjoy lunch or time together.
→ Ellis South Community Garden
The Ellis South Community Garden was built in partnership with Denver Public Schools and Regeneration Now. The community and therapeutic garden supports gardeners from the International Rescue Committee’s New Roots Program. New Roots helps refugees become food secure and contribute to their new homes and communities. The sensory garden provides a calming environment to unwind the effects of trauma and find a sense of belonging in a new home. The free play space allows nature play for youth and doubles as a gathering area for the greater community. Teachers also use the therapeutic garden and school counselors working with students to celebrate gratitude, process grief, and just relax.
→ Blue Spruce Community Garden
Residents and neighbors use the Blue Spruce Community Garden to grow food and connect to nature. The therapeutic garden spaces provide the youth access to an outdoor play space and an opportunity to learn from the rhythms of nature. The therapeutic garden features welcoming posts decorated by the youth, a music wall and a fairy garden. The boulders and benches provide meeting areas for CCH caseworkers and clients amidst the calming sensory plants.
→ Fairmont Elementary School Community Garden
A stone sensory garden, stumps for natural play, wheelchair accessible pathways, and self-guided activities have created a place for wellness, relaxation, and access to nature for the multi-intensive classroom within this thriving community garden.
Testimonials
What People are Saying
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Private Group Wellness Workshops
DUG offers private group workshops for organizations and businesses wishing to support healing, growth, and well-being for both individuals and groups through the transformative power of nature. Our garden wellness-themed workshops engage participants with nature in meaningful, hands-on ways to foster connection, resilience, and personal development.
10-Session Garden Therapy Program for Wellness
Maximize the benefits of therapeutic gardening with expert-led, tailored programming. DUG works closely with your on-site staff to design and implement a custom 10-week program that addresses the unique needs of your clients. Together, we’ll identify individual or group goals and create specialized garden workshops that support wellness, rehabilitation, and skill-building. In addition, DUG will collaborate with your team to model effective garden-based teaching strategies and activities.
Therapeutic Gardening Articles
New Therapeutic Gardens Training Program Launches
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The Healing Power of Therapeutic Gardening
