New York Botanical Gardens (February 2009)

The Everett Children's Adventure Garden is over ten years old and has undergone several changes since it's opening. Several of the original exhibits have been removed because they were difficult to maintain and weren't used. The staff I spoke with preferred to use the garden as teaching objects and using teachable moments than the fancy exhibitsand signs. At one point they went through a sign phase and a lot of money was put into signs, but the only people who read the signs are teachers. They are moving away from the exhibits and more towards using the plants thenselves to generate excitement and as teaching tools. The Discovery Center is used for classes and school groups in the morning and open to the public in the afternoon.

Signage in the main garden pointing out special exhibit features
Signage in the main garden pointing out special exhibit features
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 12:21 pm
  Entrance to the Everett Children's Adventure Garden. A staff member sits in a ticket booth on the left hand side checking tickets and counting guests.
Entrance to the Everett Children's Adventure Garden. A staff member sits in a ticket booth on the left hand side checking tickets and counting guests.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 12:49 pm
 
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 12:50 pm
  The Adventure Trail was added after the fact because the entrance path to the main part of the garden was too long without activities. Now kids tend to run on the Adventure Trail while adults stay on the main path. Signs along the trail envourage you to use your senses, but most guests don't read them - staff thinks it's because there too text heavy.
The Adventure Trail was added after the fact because the entrance path to the main part of the garden was too long without activities. Now kids tend to run on the Adventure Trail while adults stay on the main path. Signs along the trail envourage you to use your senses, but most guests don't read them - staff thinks it's because there too text heavy.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 12:50 pm
  The Boulder Maze from below. Staff sometimes use the rocks as an impromptu space to gather kids.
The Boulder Maze from below. Staff sometimes use the rocks as an impromptu space to gather kids.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 12:51 pm
  Boulder Maze from above
Boulder Maze from above
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 12:53 pm
  Hedge maze - staff say that kids love it but wish there was more to discover inside the maze.
Hedge maze - staff say that kids love it but wish there was more to discover inside the maze.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 12:57 pm
  A gathering space right off the main path (at bottom). Staff wishes there was another row of shrubs to provide a dividing line between the area and the path to minimize noise and distraction.
A gathering space right off the main path (at bottom). Staff wishes there was another row of shrubs to provide a dividing line between the area and the path to minimize noise and distraction.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 12:58 pm
  Discovery Cart in the Plant Part area. Drawers have different examples of seeds.
Discovery Cart in the Plant Part area. Drawers have different examples of seeds.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:02 pm
  Guests love the topiaries which change with the seasons
Guests love the topiaries which change with the seasons
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:03 pm
  Pollination section - kids match pollinator puppets with the flowers. The puppets were missing.
Pollination section - kids match pollinator puppets with the flowers. The puppets were missing.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:06 pm
  A small shrub that over arches the path creating a hiding nook in the summer.
A small shrub that over arches the path creating a hiding nook in the summer.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:06 pm
  An example of how a bee sees a flower - kids look through the right side of the bee.
An example of how a bee sees a flower - kids look through the right side of the bee.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:07 pm
  Looking through the bees eyes.
Looking through the bees eyes.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:08 pm
  Large pollinator sculpture
Large pollinator sculpture
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:08 pm
  More topiaries
More topiaries
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:09 pm
  Patio outside Discovery Center and entrance to Plant Part Paradise. Puzzles allow you to idenitfy the parts.
Patio outside Discovery Center and entrance to Plant Part Paradise. Puzzles allow you to idenitfy the parts.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:10 pm
  Small greenhouse off of the Discovery Center. Plants didn't grow well so they changed it to a changing exhibit. The current theme is George Washington Carver.
Small greenhouse off of the Discovery Center. Plants didn't grow well so they changed it to a changing exhibit. The current theme is George Washington Carver.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:11 pm
 
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:11 pm
  Sample plant prescription and plant doctor tools.
Sample plant prescription and plant doctor tools.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:11 pm
  Prescriptions kids had made for the plants in the exhibit
Prescriptions kids had made for the plants in the exhibit
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:11 pm
  Kids enjoy playing in the Jesup wagon (the last exhibit had th H.M.S. Beagle to compliment a Darwin theme).
Kids enjoy playing in the Jesup wagon (the last exhibit had th H.M.S. Beagle to compliment a Darwin theme).
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:11 pm
 
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:12 pm
  A simple activity on leaf sorting and classification inside the Discovery Center.
A simple activity on leaf sorting and classification inside the Discovery Center.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:13 pm
 
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:13 pm
  According to staff this is where most families gather and stay. It's the only place with lots of seating. Inside the boxes are puzzles.
According to staff this is where most families gather and stay. It's the only place with lots of seating. Inside the boxes are puzzles.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:15 pm
  An activity station staffed by High School Explainers. In conjunction with the orchid exhibit, kids make stamps of Mayan words for chocolate, vanilla, chile. This space was originally the herbarium, which was phased out of use, but staff doesn't really know why.
An activity station staffed by High School Explainers. In conjunction with the orchid exhibit, kids make stamps of Mayan words for chocolate, vanilla, chile. This space was originally the herbarium, which was phased out of use, but staff doesn't really know why.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:17 pm
  An activity station in the next room. You could mix your own Mayan Hot Chocolate, taste different flavors of jelly beans and taste vanilla. On this given day it was adults participating - no kids in site.
An activity station in the next room. You could mix your own Mayan Hot Chocolate, taste different flavors of jelly beans and taste vanilla. On this given day it was adults participating - no kids in site.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:20 pm
  Microscopes to view cacao beans and nibs and vanilla beans seeds
Microscopes to view cacao beans and nibs and vanilla beans seeds
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:21 pm
  Another station where you could view the different plant parts of vanilla and cacao. The activities change on a regular basis. Activities are open to the public on weekends and weekday afternoons. On weekday mornings the space is used for school groups and classes.
Another station where you could view the different plant parts of vanilla and cacao. The activities change on a regular basis. Activities are open to the public on weekends and weekday afternoons. On weekday mornings the space is used for school groups and classes.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:22 pm
 
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:22 pm
  More puzzle boxes. Staff says these aren't used as much as the others because they think there isn't a comfortable space to work on them.
More puzzle boxes. Staff says these aren't used as much as the others because they think there isn't a comfortable space to work on them.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:23 pm
  Products in the baskets each cost so much (measured in cacao beans), you can count how many beans on the abacus. This was created by an intern.
Products in the baskets each cost so much (measured in cacao beans), you can count how many beans on the abacus. This was created by an intern.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:23 pm
 
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:24 pm
 
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:25 pm
 
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:25 pm
  The magnet boards allowed you to piece together a plant from the various plant parts, but all the magnets had warped and wouldn't stick to the boards.
The magnet boards allowed you to piece together a plant from the various plant parts, but all the magnets had warped and wouldn't stick to the boards.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:26 pm
  The plant part paradise had lots of twisty turny paths and really gave you a feeling of being in the garden. Other rooms were more open and didn't give you that secretive feeling.
The plant part paradise had lots of twisty turny paths and really gave you a feeling of being in the garden. Other rooms were more open and didn't give you that secretive feeling.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:27 pm
  Pond in Plant Part Paradise.
Pond in Plant Part Paradise.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:28 pm
  The gardeners were creating these alternating red and yellow twig dogwood path edgers throughout the garden.
The gardeners were creating these alternating red and yellow twig dogwood path edgers throughout the garden.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:29 pm
  Plant Part Paradise
Plant Part Paradise
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:29 pm
  Plant Part Paradise
Plant Part Paradise
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:29 pm
  Entrance to Plant Part Paradise
Entrance to Plant Part Paradise
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:29 pm
  Donor Recognition Signs
Donor Recognition Signs
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:30 pm
  A favorite activity station - kids wove bird nests.
A favorite activity station - kids wove bird nests.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:31 pm
  Examples of real nests adjacent to the activity.
Examples of real nests adjacent to the activity.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:31 pm
  Touch Tank is filled with aquatic plants in summer. Filled with tree boughs in winter
Touch Tank is filled with aquatic plants in summer. Filled with tree boughs in winter
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:32 pm
  Wetland Pavillion - In warmer months, the High School Explainers do activites at a table placed in the center of the pavillion.
Wetland Pavillion - In warmer months, the High School Explainers do activites at a table placed in the center of the pavillion.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:32 pm
  Food Web signs connect different member of the wetland - used mostly by teachers.
Food Web signs connect different member of the wetland - used mostly by teachers.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:34 pm
 
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:34 pm
  The "Lookout" above a waterfall. The lookout was lomg ago closed due to safety concerns.
The "Lookout" above a waterfall. The lookout was lomg ago closed due to safety concerns.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:36 pm
  Binoculars to look at wetland inhabitants
Binoculars to look at wetland inhabitants
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:38 pm
  A fallen tree in the forest probably creates fun climbing places for kids.
A fallen tree in the forest probably creates fun climbing places for kids.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:43 pm
  Entrance to the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden - a place for hands-on gardening.
Entrance to the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden - a place for hands-on gardening.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:48 pm
  Gathering spot inside the entrance.
Gathering spot inside the entrance.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:49 pm
  Drop-in gardening occurs in the raised beds. Community volunteers from a wide variety of cultures maintain the raised "ethnic gardens" at the rear. Theme gardens (pizza, salsa, etc) are in the beds at front.
Drop-in gardening occurs in the raised beds. Community volunteers from a wide variety of cultures maintain the raised "ethnic gardens" at the rear. Theme gardens (pizza, salsa, etc) are in the beds at front.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:49 pm
  These beds are maintained by families who sign up for the program.
These beds are maintained by families who sign up for the program.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:50 pm
  Tool storage, pavillions for activities and the site for a new greenhouse.
Tool storage, pavillions for activities and the site for a new greenhouse.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:50 pm
  A pond and prairie for discovery and activities
A pond and prairie for discovery and activities
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:51 pm
  Family plots in the front right, ethnic gardens to the back right, drop-in plots to the left
Family plots in the front right, ethnic gardens to the back right, drop-in plots to the left
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 1:52 pm
  The gift shop busy with orchid shoppers.
The gift shop busy with orchid shoppers.
 
Photo by Lisa Davis
2-27-2009 2:07 pm
 

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