New Therapeutic Garden Opens in Kyiv
On October 17, a Therapeutic Garden was inaugurated at the VDNG in Kyiv, designed to aid in the recovery and emotional support of veterans and anyone in need. The project was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the urban bureau Big City Lab, and the architectural firm PUPA within the framework of the National Strategy for Creating Barrier-Free Spaces in Ukraine, initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine.
The garden interacts with visitors through five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste, while encouraging creativity and physical activity. Its core idea is to promote health through movement in nature. This includes therapeutic gardening areas, adaptive sports grounds, spaces for physical practices, and group meeting areas.
“We all, especially those who have suffered from the pain of war, lack places that provide a sense of safety, calm, and harmony. Here in the garden, you can at least get closer to that feeling. This is the therapeutic effect of nature, supported by numerous scientific studies. I hope there will be more such places in Ukraine. We see this garden as a pilot project that will gradually grow wherever needed,” said First Lady Olena Zelenska during the opening.
Currently, therapeutic programs are being developed for specialists to work with military personnel, veterans, and their families, as well as civilians undergoing rehabilitation. Additionally, the location will be open to all year-round.
All plants planted in the garden will have a positive impact. They are arranged organically without clear lines or symmetry, reflecting natural conditions and featuring various blooming periods to keep the space lively and interesting throughout the year.
“To create a garden that truly fulfills a therapeutic function, we researched this topic over the course of the year across four dimensions—space functionality, infrastructure, therapeutic programs, and the natural component. Thanks to consultations with experts and participations with military families, the garden is not just a beautiful place but a space that aids in rehabilitation and recovery. We understand how to replicate this garden in every community while preserving the unique character of each location,” explains Max Yakover, founder of the Big City Lab urban bureau.
Furthermore, the Therapeutic Garden features a lighting system from Expolight, which creates meditative pathways and an atmosphere of comfort and safety within the premises.
The entire space is barrier-free: the surfaces are firm and non-slip, raised mobile beds are provided for therapeutic gardening, and relaxation areas are equipped with benches with backs and armrests, alongside designated spaces for wheelchairs. Navigation for visually impaired individuals has also been developed, including a tactile map of the entire area, signage in large clear fonts, and Braille translations of all information.
“Our mission at VDNG is to be the best version of the future. This project is primarily about caring for people. It is essential to have spaces that help individuals recover and move toward a full life, and we are proud that the Expo Center is becoming a venue for such initiatives,” emphasized VDNG Development Director Yevhen Mushkin.
The opening of the Therapeutic Garden was attended by First Lady Olena Zelenska, Minister of Veterans Affairs Natalia Kalmykova, Presidential Advisor on Barrier-Free Issues Tetiana Lomakina, as well as representatives from various ministries and departments, veterans, and defenders.
The Therapeutic Garden is being implemented as a pilot project. In the future, this format can serve as an important component of rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation infrastructure in Ukraine.
The project is being implemented by VDNG in collaboration with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs as part of the National Strategy for Creating Barrier-Free Spaces in Ukraine at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska. The Therapeutic Garden for VDNG is designed by the urban bureau Big City Lab in partnership with the architectural firm PUPA. The project is supported by Visa, PrivatBank, Work UA, Expolight, and the Ukrainian Red Cross.
