Leave the cares of adulthood behind and step into a little whimsical spot called the Children’s Garden. This garden was designed to draw children and their parents into the wonder and joys of gardening. Children with their natural sense of wonder will be attracted to bright colors, structures that inspire their imagination, and a safe environment which offers fun things to do and see. 

Inspired by the author, Molly Dannenmaier, in her book, A Child’s Garden, plans for this garden were put to paper in 2000 by Master Gardeners Beth Spooner, Judy Dake and Kathy McIntyre. 

Take a stroll along the Yellow Brick Road in the Oz Garden, populated by oriental poppies and sunflowers. Then find the Alphabet Plant Bed where plants and stepping stones represent the letters of the alphabet. A large cement hare guards the entrance to a re-bar tunnel bordered with a variety of colorful blooming plants. Hide under the cascading limbs of a weeping fruitless mulberry tree, fenced off by whimsical cement child figurines. Ornamental grasses line the garden border where you can play on a stepping stone hopscotch.

A giant tortoise stands next to a sand box area and a resting bench. A trellis supports sweet-smelling wisteria and honeysuckle. See what time it is by standing on the Human Sun Dial Clock! Beautiful handmade stepping stones of Roman numerals show the time of day. By standing on the cement footprints next to the month marker, the visitor can check the location of their shadow to tell the time of day.

Rebar art work was created by Master Gardener Bill Town, and the tortoise and the hare sculpted by Rusty Neilsen. Fred Alley created the child figurines.