The Children’s Garden at Stanley Park December 2005 Karen E. Templeton

PURPOSE Provide a safe environment where children of all ages can enjoy the beauty and mystery of nature. Encourage and inspire learning, curiosity, and love of plants and nature in children. Provide training for teachers who would like to include gardening and an outdoor classroom in their curriculum. Let children have FUN!!!!!

What do Children Want? Fruit trees Flowers Tree-houses Ponds Birds Cornstalks

THE DESIGN CONCEPT A Grand Entrance Area Playgrounds A Cultivated Garden Area A Natural Woodland Area

The Children’s Garden Main Entrance Picture of MAIN GATE to be inserted here:

Children’s Playground Actual photos of new playscape to be shown here.

A Cultivated Garden Area A Child’s Playhouse A Mulberry Fortress An Evergreen Maze Garden A Herb Garden w/Sun Dial A Flower Garden A Vegetable Garden including popcorn, pumpkins and gourds

Child Playhouse (drawing of playhouse to be inserted)

The Disabled Garden Photos/drawings of wheelchairs, ramps, etc. to be included

The Garden Size Everything in the garden the children’s garden from doorways, arbors and playhouse is to be child sized.

Flower Garden

Grandma’s Porch Photo to be drawn

Plant Selection Interest and Delight Children Ensure Maximum Color, Form, Fragrance. and interest from spring to fall Include as many Native Plants as possible. Hardy and drought tolerant Come from local nurseries

Garden Docents Recruit and train volunteers to be friendly, knowledgeable figures in the Garden.

CONCLUSION Children need to have contact and meaningful experiences with plants and gardens. Children’s gardens are gardens of JOY that tickle our hearts and mind with childlike, effervescent energy and delight.