Eco-solutions: therapeutic Japanese-style garden being developed in Ternopil

In Ternopil's Sopilche park, the construction of a unique therapeutic garden is underway, which will be the first project of this scale in the regional center.

Pavlo Savechko, head of the energy efficiency sector of the housing and communal services department of the city council, reported that, according to Suspilne.

As the official noted, the garden will harmoniously combine traditional elements of Japanese design and modern technologies.

"There are also herbaceous plants, such as those inherent in a Japanese garden. There is sakura, evergreen bamboo, lilies will be planted in the pond. The planting material used here has been grown for many years and has adapted to climatic conditions in nurseries," Liudmyla Hrynchyshyna, a specialist in landscaping and ecology of the city council, said.

According to Savechko, 169 seedlings are planned to be planted in the garden and 19 arches for roses will be installed.

"We installed a Japanese-style entrance gate, known as the "Tori Gate," which means "bird's nest." Japanese gardens have spread far beyond Japan and can now be found on every continent. You'll find them in cities like Sydney, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and Wroclaw, as well as in Uman, the Kyoto Park in Kyiv, and several other locations in Ukraine," he said.

It is reported that the area of ​​the therapeutic garden will be a hectare.

^{Photo: Suspilne Ternopil}

"A harmonious combination of materials – trees, stones and water bodies – such locations have long been known in Europe, but in Ukraine they are just starting to be created. Trees have been planted, entrance gates, decorative stones have been installed, aeration fountains, arches for roses have been purchased, they are already here, but not yet installed," the head of the energy efficiency sector of the housing and communal services department of the city council said.

In addition, as the official noted, it is planned to:

• install a renewable energy source,
• install a hybrid solar-wind power plant,
• renovate a water mill.

Savechko also said that the project is being implemented with grant money from the European Union "Mayors for Economic Growth".

According to psychologist Vita Slavopas, contact with nature in such a garden helps improve psycho-emotional state. Techniques such as mindfulness will help visitors focus on the "here and now" moment, restoring internal resources.

"This helps to distract from anxious thoughts, focus on pleasant things, and gives our brain a chance to rest. If someone wants to recharge and recover, regular walks and the contemplation of natural landscapes should be part of their routine, as this is something everyone enjoys," she emphasized.

Savechko emphasized that the work is planned to be completed by the end of April.

For reference:

Mikael Colville-Andersen is a Danish urban planner, author of "Copenhagenize: The Definitive Guide to Global Bicycle Urbanism," and founder of the Bikes 4 Ukraine initiative. This spring, he embarked on a new project to create a Scandinavian therapeutic garden in Kyiv. Rubryka spoke with Colville-Andersen to learn more about this initiative and its impact. Read more in the article: "If anyone needs it, it's Ukrainians": Scandinavian therapeutic garden aids in mental health recovery."