Sensory Garden: Balcombe Heights Estate, Baulkham Hills
Out and About
We are blessed to have an array of parks, bushland reserves and gardens across the Hills and Hawkesbury. Wonderful places to enjoy some time out as well as some peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of everyday living.
Recently we spent some time exploring the Hills newest garden, Sensory Garden in Balcombe Heights Estate, Baulkham Hills.
With winding paths through the garden, places to sit and relax or to read a book, a grassed area for meditation and well-being, a grassed area for meditation and wellbeing as well as many various plants of different textures, sights and smells. The garden stimulates the four senses of sight, touch, hearing and smell and truly offers something for everyone.
The idea for the Sensory Garden came from Connie Keith, Chair of the Hills Shire Council’s S355 Balcombe Heights Committee which assists Council with the preservation and enhancement of the historic Estate. Connie has had a long association with the Hills and a deep connection to Balcombe Heights Estate.
Originally from Sicily, Italy, Connie arrived as a 6-year-old with her family who established a market garden in the area growing vegetables. Francesco Crescent in Bella Vista runs through part of their old property in Baulkham Hills and leads to Francesco Crescent Reserve. Both being named after Connie’s father.
In 2006, Connie was a committee and class member of a pottery group at Balcombe Heights Estate and learned they needed someone to represent the group at S355 Committee meetings. Connie volunteered for the position and has been Chair of the Balcombe Heights Estate Committee ever since.
Connie says the idea for the Sensory Garden came from a desire to reflect the environment, inclusivity and a place that would benefit the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone, especially people with intellectual, psychosocial or cognitive disability.
She also saw the initiative as a means of recognising the Centenary of Balcombe Heights and the role it has played in our community as a Masonic orphanage and school, a hospital during the War, a Masonic School again after the War and now as a home to many community organisations, such as Hills Community Aid, Alive90.5, Positive Vibes Foundation and many more.
With the assistance of Mici Beer, CEO of Hills Community Aid, Connie’s vision for the Sensory Garden was realised, thanks to a successful Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program grant. The Sensory Garden was completed at the end of 2024 and is now enjoyed by the Estate’s many user groups as well as visitors to the Estate.
Next time you are looking for a new place to walk or a quiet place to sit and reflex why not pay a visit to the Sensory Garden at Balcombe heights Estate. You won’t be disappointed.
For more information on Balcombe Heights Estate including history and things to do go to www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Venues/Parks-Recreation/Parks-Recreation-Directory/Balcombe-Heights-Estate-Masonic-Oval
