The Turn to Us Sensory Gym at 46 Catawaissa St., Nesquehoning, officially dedicated the new Sensory Garden in the backyard behind the building.

Sebastian Warner of Lehighton, a member of the Boy Scout Troop 187 of Lehighton, worked on the new planters as his Eagle Scout project.

“I thought it would be pretty nice,” Warner said. “I was looking at different lawns; but, this one looked pretty nice. Also, personally as well; I am on the spectrum for Autism. I thought it would fun.”

Turn To Us advocates for individuals and their families who are living with autism by offering personalized assistance and connection to available resources.

The backyard setting currently has the two planter boxes, a musical feature, a display of mums, and a large planter where they are growing mint. The two plants feature tomatoes, peppers, and beans. Children and parents will be able to help in planting and caring for the garden.

“We have plans to add on to the garden,” said Susan Moyer, Regional Supervisor for Schuylkill and Carbon county for NEPA Inclusive. “We would like to add strawberries and some other things.”

Other plans include a play structure, a water table, a picnic table, and more.

“The produce this year we gave it to people who needed it,” Moyer said. “As we grow, we would like to have a roadside stand to get them involved in the community.”

Sponsors for the sensory garden include Palmerton Lumber Company (who donated the supplies), First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Remmey The Pallet Company, Nature’s Trail, and Van Hoekelen Greenhouses Inc.

The Sensory Gym is a specially-designed space to help an individual with sensory issues learn to regulate their brain’s negative reactions to external stimuli by developing coping skills for these experiences.

The gym offers a variety of benefits: calming effects, stimulation, socialization, improved focus, motor skills development, cognitive development, and sensory development.

The gym is open Mondays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m., and is also available to host birthday parties and other events such as class visits.

Call Susan Moyer at 570-573-0450 for information.