DDSN Breaks Ground on $730K Interactive Sensory Garden to Benefit Whitten Center Residents

CLINTON, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for an interactive sensory garden that is being constructed at the agency’s Whitten Center in Clinton. Commencement of the project was earlier this month and construction will be completed in February 2024.

“This project has been 15 years in the making,” said Craig Byrd, the facility administrator at DDSN’s Whitten Center. “It’s been a long road that has included planning and coordination with a lot of very special people. We’re so happy to be at this point and can’t wait to see our completed garden for our residents to enjoy.”

The interactive garden will cost about $730,000 and is being paid for with money donated to the Whitten Foundation. The garden will primarily benefit the individuals with disabilities who live at the Whitten Center, one of five Regional Centers across the state operated by DDSN. Features of the garden will include a labyrinth, which will guide visitors to the center of the garden where they will see a fountain that illuminates at night. Additionally, four planters will surround the labyrinth and will attract butterflies and include benches for visitors to relax.

Other garden features will include:

• Four vine arbors that will provide shades and will also hold decorative lights for special occasions
• A mist fountain that can cool visitors off on hot days
• Outdoor musical instruments for visitors to enjoy
• A talking tube so friends can talk to each other 90 feet away

Attendance at the groundbreaking included current and former Whitten Center employees, DDSN leadership, local community partners, and members of the state legislature, including S.C. Rep. Doug Gilliam (R-Union) and S.C. Sen. Daniel Verdin (R-Laurens). Constance Holloway, DDSN’s Interim Director, said the most exciting part of the project is the fact that it symbolizes DDSN’s mission of serving those with disabilities.

“Individuals with disabilities deserve the same access to recreational and leisure facilities that we enjoy,” Holloway said. “This garden shows our commitment to not only providing care to our Whitten consumers but meeting their needs for social interaction and outdoor activities. This is an exciting day for DDSN and the local community that has been a longtime supporter of the Whitten Center.”

The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs plans, develops, coordinates and funds services for residents with various severe, lifelong disabilities. Populations served include individuals with traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disabilities.

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