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Five Senses Garden
The Five Senses Garden (5SG) is a small public garden located at Phoenix High School off of Oakland Drive in Kalamazoo. 5SG was designed to appeal to our senses of sight, smell, touch, sound, and taste through the wonders of plants and gardening. It is a wonderful place to spend time walking through the plantings or sitting and enjoying the views throughout the year.
Completed in 1969 as part of the Kennedy Center, 5SG was designed to engage people with developmental disabilities. It won a special citation from the American Association of School Administrators in 1970 and was included in the 1969 report of the President’s Commission on Mental Health.
The heart of the Garden is a series of three circular "rooms" connected by a winding path that leads the visitor through the five senses – from smell to touch, on to hearing, taste, and finally sight when you leave the constraint of the walled rooms. Sculptures add interest, and benches allow for rest and contemplation.​​
Left: Rendering of the original Five Senses Garden
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Below: An aerial view of the back of the Garden with raised bed sections added in 2006
5SG is overseen by a Board of Directors, and volunteers help plant and tend to the gardens, including Extension Master Gardeners. The 5SG Board has engaged with Kalamazoo in Bloom (KIB) to revitalize its efforts in administering to the Garden’s organizational needs. This partnership will help in promoting 5SG and bring fresh ideas to enhance the beauty and emotional effectiveness of the Garden.
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KIB will be hiring a Gardener this spring to work with the Five Senses Garden Board and volunteers.
