Your Custom Text Here
A nature-focused educational environment for students with complex disabilities
project
Aptus Treatment Centre
Learning Landscape
location
Toronto
client
Installed
2018
―
Project Team:
Elaine Garness, Program Supervisor
Martha McGrath, Project Coordinator
Phillip Novak/ Strange Colour - Signage + Environmental Graphic Design
Susan Poizner, Orchard Consultant, www.orchardpeople.com
David Cohlmeyer, Sustainable Food Consultant
At Aptus Treatment Centre, the Teaching Landscape offers hands-on gardening experiences for clients living with developmental disabilities. This vibrant 1-acre green space, provides unique opportunities for learning about environmental stewardship and food production.
In addition to serving Aptus clients, the Teaching Landscape welcomes the surrounding community to enjoy its features, including a greenhouse, gardens, playground, and gathering spaces. Many community members volunteer their time for planting and maintenance, fostering social interaction and community bonds.
Community-engaged garden planting at Aptus promotes collaboration, sustainability, and shared values, strengthening community resilience and active engagement in local initiatives. Key features of the Aptus Teaching Landscape include a year-round production greenhouse, agricultural lands, fruit trees, berry thickets, arboretum, sensory forest garden, and playground.
Amy Turner Landscape amy@amyturnerlandscape.com