The Round Garden

The Round Garden, A Garden For The Blind, occupies a place just west of the Lanark County offices at 99 Christie Lake Road in Perth, Ontario. I asked directions of one of the people who worked there. They told me the garden was not well maintained now. I don't know if they meant it hasn't been prepared for the coming season or that it doesn't get any attention at all.

At any rate there were no flowers in bloom or any plants at all in the garden's planters when I took these photographs.

Dedicated to the memory fo the many
Friends of the Round Garden
who designed and maintained
this quiet haven from
1983 to 2008
-
October 28th, 2009

The Round Garden
for the Blind
A LIVING MEMORIAL
to
JOSEPH ALBERT RAWSON
1911 - 1994

The garden was envisaged
by him and, with the help
of friends, was built here
in 1983.
It is for the joy and pleasure
of everyone, especially the
visually impaired and the
handicapped.

The Round Garden
A GARDEN FOR THE BLIND
UN JARDIN POUR LES AVEUGLES

IN LANARK COUNTY, ONT.

A few years ago there appeared in Perth a garden such as few had known. A garden especially designed for the enjoyment of the handicapped, the blind in particular. Located next to the Lanark County Administration Building, just off Sunset Boulevard, this is a "hands on" garde, with no "Do not touch" signs. Here visitors may wander freely among the planter boxes, and feel and smell the texture and fragrance of a wide variety of flowers and shrubs, and listen to the splash of a fountain, the singing of birds in nearby fields and trees, and the twittering of swallows in a community nesting-box.

Many plants are identified by their English, French and scientific names, and some names are given in Braille for the benefit of the blind. Benches shaded by gazebos are available for unhurried enjoyment of the scene.

The garden is frequently visited by tour groups from out of town, including garden clubs, senior citizens, church groups and nursing homes. Parking is available without charge, nor is there any admission charge to the garden itself, which is available for viewing at any time during the growing season.

THE ROUND GARDEN

A project of the citizens of Perth, Ontario.

Hats off to teh hard working citizens of Perth, Ontario, under
the leadership of Joe Rawson, who planned and developed this
Garden for The Blind.

It is filled with plants of special scents, textures and tastes
for their appreciation

Many plants are raised in beds and all are in braille.