San Carlos Community Garden unveils sensory garden project

Overview: San Carlos Community Garden With direction provided by SCCG’s leadership team and Sierra’s lead occupational therapist, Mercer’s sensory garden design transformed a small, underused corner of the garden into an area that sparks curiosity “to be and to learn” in harmony with nature. Over the last 13 years, the San Carlos Community Garden has become a cherished spot for connection, learning, playing, gardening, and wellness. Now, thanks to a generous donation from Blue Shield of California and a day of volunteering, the SCCG will soon complete its newest addition and contribution to the Sierra School of San Diego and the community at large: A thoughtfully designed sensory garden where visitors can touch, smell, see, and hear the wonders of nature in an immersive way. The SCCG also received generous in-kind contributions from George Mercer, SCCG’s original landscape architect, and locally-owned businesses Epic Gardening, Ewing Irrigation, Sunbelt Rentals on Mission Gorge and Southwest Boulder and Stone. With direction provided by SCCG’s leadership team and Sierra’s lead occupational therapist, Mercer’s sensory garden design transformed a small, underused corner of the garden into an area that sparks curiosity “to be and to learn” in harmony with nature. The design was also intended to be a welcoming space for the Sierra School, which serves students with a range of special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, learning differences, and emotional or behavioral challenges. “The sensory garden will provide an outdoor classroom where Sierra teachers and therapists can provide hands-on, sensory-based experiences along with lessons about nature, science, and self-regulation,” said Mercer. “Students will be able to dig in the soil, feel the textures of different leaves, listen to rustling leaves, and taste edible plants experiences that help strengthen motor skills, stimulate curiosity, and promote calmness and focus.” Like a scene from “Extreme Makeovers,” on Oct. 10, more than a dozen Blue Shield of California volunteers worked alongside the SCCG leadership team and Sierra School teachers and students to bring the sensory garden design to life. In just three hours, volunteers constructed and filled raised beds with healthy soil and compost; planted three soon-to-be towering crepe myrtles for future shade and ambience; built a three-tiered herb spiral complete with herbs soon to spill over its sides; and planted more than a dozen pollinator plants around the perimeter of the sensory garden. By funding the sensory garden, Blue Shield and the other supporting businesses have helped create a lasting resource that benefits not only Sierra School students but also the San Carlos community at large. The sensory garden is expected to be complete and open to the public by early December. Community members can learn more about leasing a plot, becoming a volunteer, or supporting SCCG as an annual growing community garden member for just $40 per year at sancarloscommunitygarden. com.
https://timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/11/17/san-carlos-community-garden-unveils-sensory-garden-project/