Prerequisites and Prospects for the Creation of a Therapeutic Garden at the National Dendrological Park “Sofiyivka” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Abstract

Aims. The need to analyze the possibilities of creating a high-grade therapeutic garden through the evaluation of the spatial structure of National dendrological park "Sofiyivka" of NAS of Ukraine landscapes and the prospects of introducing therapeutic gardening for the rehabilitation of people with inclusive needs has
determined the actuality of research. Methods. The spatial structure of the landscapes of the "Sofiyivka" was classified according to the Methodological Guide for the Implementation of Gardenotherapy in Ukraine (Mosaiev et al., 2020). The accessibility of park objects for of people with disabilities was analyzed according to DBN V.2.2-40:2018ДБН В.2.2-40:2018 Incluziya of buildings and strukches (PAT..., 2018). Their aesthetic appeal was evaluated taking into account the recommendations of Ivan Kosenko and his colleagues on the peculiarities of the park's architectural compositions, which combine the motifs of myths and legends of Ancient Greece with the Osianic motifs of the Chivalrous Middle Ages (Kosenko et al., 2020, 2021), paying attention to the diversity of colors, textures, aromas, and sounds that would surround visitors. Results. The "Sofiyivka", as a co-founder of the All-Ukrainian
Association Inclusive Rehabilitation and Social Tourism, is actively involved in
arranging a barrier-free space in the park. Recently, "Sofiyivka" became a full member of the non-profit association European Route of Historic Gardens (ERHG), whose constituent documents emphasize the need to equip spaces for people with disabilities. Although a full-fledged stationary therapeutic garden is still being developed at "Sofiyivka", potential opportunities for passive garden therapy are available in the historical (untouchable for innovations) part of the park, and are consistently taken into account in newly created facilities. Considerable attention is paid to people in wheelchairs. The undulating terrain of the park led to the construction of a network of retaining walls, which were eventually decorated with prostrate and twisting forms of coniferous and deciduous plants, allowing wheelchair users to develop sensory sensations. They use a wide diversity of weeping tree forms as objects for photographic sessions. An integral element of the therapeutic garden is the green sculpture in the “Fantasy Park”, especially the ancient Ukrainian farmstead, where you can enrich yourself with positive energy, plunge into our ancestors' mode of life, and touch fragrant plants and plants that are amulets and symbols of Ukraine.
In cozy corners of the park, you can take “forest baths” similar to the Shinrin Yoku meditation technique known in Japan. Important elements of the therapeutic garden include numerous water objects in the historic and new parts of the park, with fountains and waterfalls, and with the mysterious underground the Acheson River, as well as lawns, alleys, and glades, walks along which are accompanied by the multi- voiced singing of local and migratory birds. The elements of the "Japanese Rock Gardens" in the “Fantasy Park”, which are in harmony with the water, contribute to anti-stress meditation. Conclusions. The therapeutic garden locations presented in the historic and new parts of "Sofiyivka" help improve the psycho-emotional state of visitors, including people with special needs, and with the involvement of volunteers, NGOs, and international donors, the park can become an effective driver of garden therapy development in Ukraine.