The Down’s Syndrome Scotland Garden will be designed by Nick Burton and Duncan Hall of Burton Hall Garden Design and built with the help of a group of young adults with Down’s syndrome.

After being showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 20 to 24 May, the garden will be transported to its permanent home and managed in partnership at Watch US Grow, based in the park.

Watch US Grow is a charity dedicated to making positive changes in the lives of adults with additional support needs, creating educational and purposeful opportunities for people to learn new skills, gaining life experience and being part of an organisation where they are treated equally.

A number of people with Down’s syndrome attend Watch US Grow and will be actively involved in the reconstruction of the garden.

“We are very pleased to be supporting Watch Us Grow to bring this inspirational garden to Palacerigg Country Park after it has been on display at the Chelsea Flower Show,” said Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment and Climate Change Committee.

“It will provide new learning opportunities for the adults with learning disabilities who attend Watch Us Grow, as well as raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with Down Syndrome and their families.”

The garden will be an immersive, semi-wooded space celebrating and reflecting the unique qualities that people with Down's syndrome bring to society. A meandering path leads visitors through two distinct planting areas that convey contrasting moods: one of calmness and the other of playfulness.

A water pool that initially appears to be a barrier to progress symbolises the daily challenges faced by people with Down’s syndrome who - despite huge progress in recent years - still experience stigma, often resulting in reduced opportunities and life expectancy. A submerged bridge within the water pool allows the ‘barrier’ to be overcome and visitors arrive at a welcoming shelter designed to look and feel like a warm and comforting hug.

Down’s Syndrome Scotland is a charity dedicated to helping everyone with Down’s syndrome living in Scotland reach their fullest potential through every age and stage of their life.

The project has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Project Giving Back, a grant-making charity that supports gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea before relocating them to sites across the UK.