Staff photo / Bob Coupland The Hubbard Public Library’s sensory garden is undergoing a renovation, a project that’s estimated to be completed by the end of October. The garden is for patrons to sit and relax, and includes a waterfall and windchimes.

HUBBARD — A special garden area at the Hubbard Public Library for people to sit and relax, read a book or eat lunch is getting a new look with a planned $86,000 remodeling project.

Library Director Lorena Hegedus said the sensory garden, located near the children’s room, opened in 2015.

The space, she said, “appeals to sounds, touch and smells. We have windchimes there, which are calming,” she said.

Hegedus said after nine years, it was time for the garden to be improved.

“Part of the garden is built into a hillside, and the tiers that hold the garden together have aged as well as the plants. The waterfall there has a leak. There are so many things that need to be upgraded and repaired,” she said.

“The sensory garden project has been in the works for some time now,” she said.

Hegedus said the garden is for all ages. Families often sit in the garden to relax or have a snack, she said.

Also, she said, “Many of the library staff will go out there for a break or eat their lunch out there,” and Hegedus said she leads a book club that meets in the garden in good weather.

The project is being done by Dynamic Structures of New Waterford. It is being paid for by fundraisers, donations and the library’s building fund. The Friends of the Hubbard Library have also contributed.

Work is set to begin and be completed by the end of October.

Hegedus said the sensory garden is an outside space that is somewhat enclosed.

“We refer to it as a safe space. It has a waterfall, pebble harp, windchimes and stairwell. It is an outdoor space connected to literacy,” she said.

There is also a story post with a story or poem on it and an activity connected to it.

Also, “we plan to replant what is in the garden and some new pollinator plants with some needing to be planted next spring,” she said.

At the rear of the library, there is a storywalk that allows visitors to read a page of a book at different locations and a sensory path.

Other projects that have taken place this year at the library include moving the reference and information desk on the second floor to a new location. There is a new reference workstation desk area. She said that project cost $32,000.

Hegedus said also planned is a new floor in the library. That will be done in stages. The children’s room is getting a new floor and is closed.