A New Therapeutic Space Opens at the Karazin Botanical Garden

On 18 July, the Botanical Garden of Karazin University became a space for volunteering and mental well-being. More than 40 residents of Kharkiv joined the creation of the Garden's first natural therapeutic barefoot walking area. This project aims to provide visitors with a space for relaxation, stress relief, and emotional recovery through direct contact with nature.

The idea of creating a sensory corner emerged among the Garden's staff through a joint educational programme with American colleagues, who have successfully practised therapeutic horticulture for many years. The main purpose of the new location is to help people recharge, overcome chronic stress, regain a sense of safety, and reconnect with carefree childhood memories. Special attention is being given to those who have lost their homes because of the war, as well as to Ukrainian defenders returning from combat zones and requiring gentle psychological rehabilitation.

The creation of the sensory garden is part of the broader recreational strategy of the Karazin Botanical Garden. Today, a modern botanical garden is much more than an экскурсионный space; it is an open living ecosystem designed for holistic human restoration and well-being. Interactive areas are being actively developed here, including a section of aromatic and spice plants, an exhibition of tactile plants, and an area dedicated to cereals and lavender.

During the event, volunteers together with the Garden's staff filled specially prepared wooden sections with various natural materials and participated in caring for the Garden's territory. Work on the therapeutic corner is still ongoing. On 20 July, the Botanical Garden welcomed special guests – children from the charitable foundation "Resilience of Ukraine," who helped complete the final section of the sensory trail with fir cones. The location is expected to be fully completed next weekend.

The main partners of the initiative were volunteers from the Kharkiv branch of the philosophy school "New Acropolis," which has been cooperating with the University Botanical Garden for more than 20 years, as well as active residents who learned about the event through social media.

The Karazin Botanical Garden sincerely thanks everyone who joined this meaningful initiative and invites all interested individuals to participate in future events. Follow announcements on the Garden's social media pages and come to restore your energy, engage in volunteer initiatives, and help create a space of harmony in Kharkiv together with us.