Botanica opens Downings Childrens Garden

by Jessica Lindsey
photos by Gingeroot Studios

Little hands and little feet now have a brand new place to dig, play and explore in a safe environment that also happens to be at a familiar place right in the center of the city.

 Botanica and it's fans are celebrating this month with the opening of the Downing Children's Garden. Follow the path around past the pavilion to the far west side of Botanica and you'll now see a huge rainbow entryway to the Children's Garden where there used to be a stone wall and a road.

The concept has been in the works for years and construction was started in April 2010. This month all the research and hard work finally became available for kids of all ages in Wichita to enjoy.

Unmatched artwork by many local artists, enchanted sculptures from favorite storybooks, a maze with instruments hidden within, a fossil wall and digging area, sand boxes, trees with faces and so much more is waiting to be discovered by Wichita families.

Education mixed into the beauty

Don’t be mistaken, though, the Downing Children’s Garden is anything but just a pretty face.

While children and families enjoy exploring through the different areas, learning possibilities are all around.
Pam Harnden, Botanica’s Education Director, has made it her mission to create the Children’s Garden with educational opportunities in every step.

“We’re educating parents as much as we are the kids,” explained Harnden as she talked about the many things parents can work on with their kids in the new Garden. “We’re here to show you that you don’t have to always have electronic toys to have fun.”

The target age of the garden is 2 to 10-year-olds, but it’s clearly enjoyable for older kids and even adults.

In the Enchanted Glen, kids can sit on mushroom seats and read waterproof books, they can learn about the metamorphosis of a butterfly and imagine and play on the soft turf, all while in the shadow of a giant caterpillar sculpture.

In the Monster Woods, kids can crawl inside the mouth of a huge, sculpted tree and run across to the treehouse via the
swinging bridge. Logs to climb on and in, trees with faces, a gorgeous gazebo and more are just down the path from an “ant hill” sand box and just around the corner from the Musical Maze.

There’s an amphitheatre where Harnden, and others, can lead classes; a farm area with a playhouse with a garden and field nearby where kids can help plant, harvest and learn about Kansas agriculture; even a stream and pond where kids can play, jump and learn about all the creatures that live in them.

“It’s all so magical and fun,” said Harnden. “But we also want kids to learn to love it and know about what to do to sustain this type of environment.”

Signage, activities and even of course the botanical side of the Garden will be changing all the time. Just as a visit to the original Botanica gardens is different each season, the Children’s Garden will be dynamic as well.

Showcasing Local Talents

“The donors, staff, volunteers, construction company, architects, everyone involved in this group effort knows that it’s for the benefit of the entire community,” said Mia Jenkins, Director of Marketing and Communications for Botanica. “This opens so many opportunities for a younger demographic. We think it’s so important to connect kids with nature.”

The Garden is one big backyard, added Jenkins, and the visual learning environment is packed full of artwork that is one-hundred percent unique and made specifically for the Children’s Garden.

Artists like Connie Ernatt is one of the talented local artists who has played a big role in pulling off the enchanted, magical feeling of the Garden, which spans just over an acre. Ernatt’s artwork can be found on murals in both the Party Barn and the Chicken Coop as well as in a mysterious and unmatched Fairy House.

“The artists are having a great time with it,” said Jenkins. “They’re so imaginative and their artwork is so interactive.”

A Rainbow Trail and large sculpted pot in the shape of a friendly squirrel, designed and constructed by local artist Conrad Snider, welcome visitors to the Sunflower Plaza where artist Terry Corbett’s tiled sunflower fountain can’t be missed.

Turn the corner at the pond and there’s a huge dragonfly sculpture, by artist Greg Johnson, made out of old car parts that greets visitors as they enter the pathway to even more artistic treasures.
Rich Bergen, Charles Baughman and Gino Salerno are just a few more of the artists whose talent has graced the Garden for kids of all ages to take in.

“It’s been so neat to watch it all take shape,” said Jenkins. “All the hard work and cooperation is finally coming together for everyone to experience.”

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