AHTA Therapeutic Garden Design Award

About the Award

AHTA Therapeutic Garden Design Award

  • Identifies existing gardens and landscapes designed and maintained for therapeutic purposes.
  • Publicizes excellence in therapeutic design and horticultural therapy programming intended to encourage the participation of special populations.
  • Recognizes gardens or landscapes that provide opportunities to experience comfort, sensory stimulation, and independence. 
  • Supports universal design for all people, regardless of age and ability.
  • The first AHTA Therapeutic Garden Design Award was presented in 1997. 

Award Criteria

Given for the purpose of identifying and publicizing excellence in therapeutic design and programming to existing gardens and landscapes that were designed and are maintained for therapeutic purposes.

Recognized designs should reflect the following characteristics:

  • Scheduled and programmed activities, including horticultural therapy programming and events and activities intended to encourage the participation of special populations.
  • Improved accessibility through modified features and the availability of adapted equipment and tools.
  • Well-defined perimeters to direct visitors to garden displays.
  • The inclusion of intensive plantings and open environments, benignly designed to enhance people plant interactions, social interchange, and a sense of safety.
  • Universally designed for all people, regardless of age and ability.
  • An intensified recognition of the opportunity to experience comfort, sensory stimulation, and independence within the designed garden or landscape

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