Topics

More

A Tour of the Children’s Garden at the Arboretum

This summer marked the opening of the latest addition to the Penn State Arboretum: The Children’s Garden. The new addition is meant for both children and anyone who is young at heart, according to Penn State News, and is a beautiful addition to the Arboretum’s space.

Here’s a look at what you can expect to see on your visit to the Children’s Garden:

The entrance to the garden features a whimsical sculpture connecting two large rock formations, one of which reads “Childhood’s Gate,” an homage to a line in the Penn State alma mater “when we stood at childhood’s gate.”

GB6A0266

Upon entering the garden, the visitors are greeted with a beautiful view.

GB6A0275

There’s a small fountain directly in front of the gate.

GB6A0278

Footprints of various animals line the pathways throughout the Children’s Garden.

GB6A0286

On days when there are volunteers at the Children’s Garden, they set up various activities for visiting children.

GB6A0287

To the right of the path from Childhood’s Gate, the view is still gorgeous.

GB6A0288

Various foods including apples, tomatoes, peppers, and gourds are grown to the right side of the garden. Some of the vegetables and fruits grown are used for cooking in programs held for visiting kids.

GB6A0293

GB6A0295

The cloche (glass building) toward the edge of the garden was used for learning programs for children on Tuesdays and Thursdays over the summer.

GB6A0300

The inside of the cloche features several tables and cabinets that are used for various programs as well as some hanging plants.

GB6A0302

Next to the cloche, the cement path turns to mulch and leads to another interactive part of the garden.

GB6A0304

A large green bench flanked by decorative green beams provides a pretty place for visitors to take a break.

GB6A0306

A small patch of colorful mushroom sculptures decorates the corner of this section of the garden.

GB6A0309

A giant caterpillar statue adds a whimsical touch to the garden (and makes for a great photo op).

GB6A0313

The path from the caterpillar leads to a giant tree-like structure.

GB6A0314

The tree-like structure contains more interesting features for visiting children to see.

GB6A0315

An interactive xylophone-like instrument provides kids with a chance to make some music in the garden.

GB6A0326

Looking past the tree structure, the rest of the Children’s Garden comes into view.

GB6A0332

One portion of the garden features several ocean-inspired sculptures, including a giant shell and coral.

GB6A0333

A small area to the side of the coral sculpture features several stumps placed to serve as a table and chairs to facilitate learning activities for visiting children.

GB6A0335

Beyond the stump table and chairs, a box of chalk sits by a chalkboard wall.

GB6A0342

Visitors are welcomed to draw on the chalk wall.

GB6A0345

Next to the chalk wall, a rock formation opens to reveal the Limestone Cave.

GB6A0346

Inside the Limestone Cave, stalactites and stalagmites are gathered in the center.

GB6A0349

In the corner, a sand pit holds small shovels to provide visitors with another interactive experience.

GB6A0350

To the left side of the cave the rocks part to reveal a small tunnel.

GB6A0351

Outside the cave sits the front portion of the garden.

GB6A0354

To the left of the cave exit, a small stream where visitors can wade trickles between lines of rocks.

GB6A0358

Earlier in the day, volunteers helped children float miniature sailboats made of cork and wooden pegs across the stream.

GB6A0360

Past the stream, several huts for kids to play in stand in a small group.

GB6A0364

And of course, like the rest of the Arboretum, the Children’s Garden includes a multitude of plants and pretty flowers.

GB6A0375

The entirety of the Children’s Garden is designed to represent the topography of Central Pennsylvania, including a valley-like area and ridge system.  The garden is also meant to serve as more of an area for children to play outside rather than a playground.

GB6A0376

The Children’s Garden is already a stellar addition to the Arboretum, and it’s not even complete yet. In the future, plans for activity tables and decorative bronze sculptures as well as a large trough and a small library hut that will house children’s books are in place.

A big thank you goes out to the volunteers at the Arboretum for their factual contributions to this article.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Anna Ungar

Penn State Class of 2015 Visual Communications major, Onward State photographer, THON 2014 Public Relations Captain, Camp Kesem of Penn State Marketing & PR Coordinator, anglophile, lover of chocolate milk, bows, cats, The Office, photography, Morgan Freeman, and british accents. Orders a side of pickles with everything.

[Photo Story] Pro-Palestine Protesters March Through Downtown State College

Our photographers captured the pro-Palestine protest and pro-Israel counter-protesters as they took the streets of State College.

Penn State Football Looking For Faster Starts Offensively

“We are investing a lot of time in it, and we understand how important it is.”

How To Register To Vote In Pennsylvania As An Out-Of-State Student

Yes, out-of-state students can vote in Pennsylvania!

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
61.3kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Anna

Penn State Does The Ice Bucket Challenge

Throughout the past two weeks, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has taken the internet by storm and flooded all of our newsfeeds. Penn Staters everywhere have taken advantage of this opportunity to raise funds and awareness for ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Several well known Penn Staters have even gotten in on the fun. Here are a few of the best Penn State ALS Ice Bucket Challenges!

Coaches vs. Cancer to Hold Annual 5K

Relay For Life Raises $111,790.13