Nanjing will open its first barrier-free garden as part of Xuanwu Lake Park at the end of this month. This inclusive park is designed to provide equal access and enjoyment for people of all abilities, including individuals with hearing or vision impairments.
The garden’s first zone features plants that is not spiky or poisonous but with unique smells, such as the Round Leaved Mint that exudes intense apple scent. It’s also equipped with a tactile guide path, benches, audio guides, and other facilities, allowing people with disabilities to learn about plants through hearing or smelling.
The path leads to a corridor dedicated to bird science, which automatically broadcasts knowledge about birds through audio guides when the sensor detects any visitor. Other designs at the corridor include thornless Chinese rose, wind chimes hung at the top, and chimes made of trees.
The core area of the garden is mainly for the visually impaired, with braille messages imprinted on the handrails. A signboard near a cherry tree introduces the characteristics of cherry blossoms in braille, and there’s a also green button to offer audio guide when pushed.