The Children’s Garden
A place where children of all ages and abilities will learn and connect with nature through outdoor play.
Imagine a garden designed for children and their families. A place where children can safely explore, climb, wander and play – to connect with nature and be inspired by its beauty.
The Niagara Parks Foundation, in close collaboration with Niagara Parks, is embarking on an exciting journey to build a one-of-a-kind Children’s Garden. One that uses the power of nature to tell stories of the land and bring the wonders of the Niagara River corridor to life.
Through hands-on learning, children of all ages and abilities will explore and interact with each of the 12 sensory-rich elements to discover Niagara’s rich history and the native plants and animals that live within its ecosystems, all while cultivating a lifelong connection with nature.
Help us build Niagara’s very first Children’s Garden.
BENEFITS OF NATURE-BASED PLAY
By teaching children a love for nature today, they will be better equipped to protect our planet into the future.
With screentime on the rise and more time spent indoors, connecting kids with nature has never been more important. Children need a safe place to explore beyond their immediate surroundings, to ask questions, and develop fresh perspectives.
Outdoor education has been proven to promote healthy outcomes across many areas of childhood development.
“All forms of environmentally responsible adult behavior can be linked back to a healthy dose of nature in childhood.”
— David Sobel, Author and Environmental Educator
Nature-based learning supports:
- Physical health + wellness
- Mental health + resilience
- Curiosity + exploration
- Focus + attention
- Creativity + imagination
- Cognitive development
- Social + emotional skills
- Teamwork + problem-solving
NIAGARA PARKS BOTANICAL GARDENS
The garden’s proposed location is a four-acre site at the renowned Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. Mature native trees and green space offer plenty of shaded areas for children and families to relax and connect to nature.
The location leverages proximity to the School of Horticulture and the Butterfly Conservatory, a major Niagara Parks attraction with 300,000 yearly visitors. The site offers convenient access to parking, public transit, washrooms and the Garden Café.
In the News
In the News
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CONTRACT AWARDED FOR DETAILED DESIGN OF NEW CHILDREN’S GARDEN
“Niagara Parks, in collaboration with the Niagara Parks Foundation, is proud to announce that MT Planners and +VG Architects have been selected as the design firms responsible for the construction-ready detailed design for the new four-acre, nature-based Children’s Garden to be built at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens.”
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BROCK PROFS HELP SHAPE NEW NIAGARA PARKS OUTDOOR EDUCATIONAL SPACE
“We are honoured to be invited to share our perspectives with Niagara Parks as they envision a breathtaking and enrichening outdoor educational space. This collaboration is a meaningful opportunity for our faculty and students to make community connections with lasting impact”
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STUDENTS AND DONORS GATHER FOR NIAGARA PARKS CHILDREN'S GARDEN CEREMONY
"The ceremony brought together Foundation representatives, donors and community partners at the future entrance to the garden. Niagara Parks Chair Bob Gale and Niagara Parks Foundation Chair Debbie Whitehouse provided welcome remarks and a guided tour of the future garden site."
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OP-ED: NIAGARA CHILDREN'S GARDEN CRUCIAL FOR KIDS' WELL BEING
"Children will be given the opportunity to learn how plants and vegetables grow, down to their roots (in the Root Zone), giving them opportunities to build an understanding of nutrition and improve their food literacy, which can translate to healthier eating habits."
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The plans are in place and the site is ready. Now, we need your help to bring our vision to life.
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