City of Gulf Shores officially opens sensory garden

City of Gulf Shores officially opens sensory garden
Beautification Board charter member Sanders honored at event

City of Gulf Shores officials took advantage of a perfect setting, if not perfect weather, to present Evelyn Sanders with plaques, gifts and accolades for her 34 years of volunteer service to the city’s beautification board.
A charter member of that board, Sanders was honored during the city’s recent ribbon cutting for its sensory garden. Located at the corner of West 2nd St. and West 19th Ave., the project will provide an opportunities for citizens of all ages to enjoy a garden intentionally designed to be experienced through each of the five senses
A $3,500 donation from the Gulf Shores Garden Club was the impetus for the project, which is designed for accessibility.
“The raised gardens allow people to drive or wheel up under them, and be able to reach them. The whole area is concrete so that its accessible to everybody. So far everyone’s been very pleased with the results,” said Gulf Shores Public Works Director Mark Acreman.
The Public Works Department worked in collaboration with the Gulf Shores Garden Club and beautification board on design and implementation. The garden includes plum, blueberry, kale, guava, cilantro, mexican heather, rosemary and other fragrant flowers and plants.
A Gulf Shores resident since 1960 and always an enthusiastic volunteer, Sanders was instrumental in starting and growing the Shrimp Festival and Mardi Gras celebrations in her adopted city. She also organized the first homecoming parade at Gulf Shores High School and was one of the first to start what is now a thriving destination wedding culture here when she opened The Wedding Chapel. Pictured: Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft and many others honored beautification board charter member Evelyn Sanders at the sensory garden ribbon cutting.