About the Garden

A one-of-a-kind sensory experience started on the Capital Area Greenbelt in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1996 … The Five Senses Gardens has held its ground (and flowers and wildlife) despite torrential floods and environmental adversity, with help from volunteers and the skillful hands of its groundskeepers. 

Like the butterflies drawn to the variety of plants in each of the gardens, visitors flock to The Gardens to experience the natural sensations, carefully cultivated to challenge the five senses. An intense, personal connection with nature has prompted some visitors to utilize The Five Senses Gardens as a site for vow exchanges or as a final resting place for ashes of beloved family members. The miracle of nature fosters a sense of peace and tranquility that has led to therapeutic relief and wonderment for all ages.

Hours & Tours

butterfly and flowers

The garden is open Sunrise to Sunset Daily including holidays.  Tours are held by appointment. To schedule a tour email: caga@caga.org

Volunteers

Volunteers are needed year-round to help out at the Gardens. Each season brings its unique requirements for the care and maintenance of the site. Please volunteer to help, to keep this unique treasure in fine shape to be enjoyed by all. Email caga@caga.org for more information.

The Penn State Master Gardeners from the Dauphin County Extension have recently been maintaining the Five Senses Gardens with the help from many volunteers from the surrounding communities. Spending time outdoors working in the Gardens is a relaxing and therapeutic activity. 

Be sure to check out the Master Gardener’s site

Directions (Google Maps)

From Harrisburg:

  • From N Front St use the middle lane to take the I-83 N ramp to Airport/Hershey
  • Keep right at the fork, follow signs for I-83N/ Airport/Hershey
  • Take exit 45 toward S 32nd St
  • Turn left onto Paxton St. (Pass Pizza Hut on the right)
  • Turn right onto Mall Rd
  • Turn right onto PA-441 N
  • Five Senses Garden is on your right. Parking lot is on the left immediately following the safety crossing lights.
From the North (Colonial Park):
  • Drive South on I-83. Exit at Paxton St toward BassPro and Harrisburg Mall. On the exit stay left at the fork.
  • At the traffic light turn right onto Paxton St.  
  • Turn left on Mall St (traffic light at Pizza Hut). Dauphin County Prison will be on your right.
  • At the ‘T’ turn Rt onto Rt 441. The Five Senses Gardens are on your right.  
  • Parking lot is on the left past the Safety lights above the Road.  Easy walking from Parking lot using safety crossing.

GPS Coordinates 40.2524332, -76.8371763

 

Parking

  • Handicapped parking area and access ramp is located behind the McDonalds off Paxton Street.
  • There is a large parking area across Route 441 from the Gardens.

This Post Has One Comment

Leave a Reply