The Audio-Reader Garden is just downhill from the parking lot in front of the Baehr Audio-Reader Center, on 11th street in Lawrence. The garden was conceived by Development Director Diana Frederick. The goal of this special garden is to provide an outdoor environment fully accessible to the blind and visually impaired, while stimulating many of our senses with nature's beauty. The plants and flowers are especially fragrant or tactile in nature. In addition, all of the plants are labeled with braille markers for easy identification.

Wind chimes, bird sounds, and the chiming of the nearby campanile also add to the garden's enjoyment.

The garden features a gazebo, bird baths, hanging plants (in season), benches, and a wheelchair accessible brick pathway to and around the garden area, leading past raised garden beds.

The garden is open for anyone to visit--blind or sighted. If you would like a guided tour of the garden, we would be happy to arrange for a special escort if you call ahead.

The garden started out small. Labor, plants, bricks and benches have all come from garden donations. spring '97

Volunteer gardeners have introduced Kansas native plants as well as exotics from all over the world. June '01

Plants are labeled in print and Braille. August '98

The garden is a comfortable place to sit with a good book. Spring '02

Cocoa husk mulch adds a chocolate touch to the mint aroma. August '98