Westfield Girl Scout Creating Sensory Garden Inspired by Cousin – Westfield, NJ Patch

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield High School junior Clara Christian is going for her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement awarded by Scouts, to make the world a better place. Her project is “Veronica’s Garden,” a sensory garden for people with special needs located off Mountain Avenue within Mindowaskin Park.

The garden is inspired by Clara’s cousin, Veronica, who is 14 and has Down Syndrome.

On March 10, the Westfield Town Council approved the project, with support and guidance from Westfield Town Administrator Jim Gildea. It will take up approximately 2,500 square feet in total.

Clara needs about $2,000 more in donations by some time in October to finish the garden, said her mother this week. (If you’d like to learn more about Clara’s project or donate, see her website HERE.)

Help from the city and businesses

The public and private project has taken over a year and a half to plan.

The town repaved all the paths in Mindowaskin Park recently to provide easier access throughout the park.

Westfield town leaders have been instrumental and encouraging throughout the journey, her mother said.

And local business have donated service. Scape-Abilities owner Steve Costalos created the garden plan as a donation. Dreyer Farms in Cranford has been instrumental in selecting the plants and guiding Clara as she prepares for the build.

Town Engineer Kris McAloon was able to install a new water pit and electricity to prepare for the garden’s irrigation system that was installed by A. Priscoe Irrigation at cost.

To learn more, see the website here.