Fall is for Fun!

Welcome to the Magnuson Children's Garden! We have some fun events planned for fall that we know you'll enjoy!

Family Gardening Day:
Friday September 24th
9:00am-12noon
(part of our United Way "Day of Caring" event)
Come spend an hour or two at the Magnuson Children's Garden! A wonderful group of volunteers from the Japan Business Association will be doing some fall cleanup and mulching to get ready for our big event on October 2nd (see below), and you are welcome to help. No previous gardening experience necessary! All adults who participate are invited to bring children with them for free nature activities, such as exploring the worm bin, going on sensory walks, and creating nature art. Tools and gloves are provided for all adults and children, along with refreshments. Teens receive service learning credit for their volunteering. To top it off, King County Master Gardeners and other horticultural experts will be on hand to answer questions about your own garden free of charge!

Nature Explorers Jamboree and Harvest Celebration
Saturday October 2nd
11:30am-2:00pm
Free admission for all the fun!
Sponsored by Magnuson Community Center and the Magnuson Community Garden.

Join in a great big celebration of another great year of Jr. Nature Explorers Camps, Family Nature Explorers Programs, and a bountiful harvest from the Magnuson P-Patch and Demonstration Orchard! There will be tons of fun for the whole family:

• Scavenger hunts in an orchard maze
• A fruit-tasting tent
• Fresh cider pressing
• Scarecrow-making
• Nature art and fort-making
• Worm bin exploration
  
• Garden tours led by Jr. Nature Explorers
• "Harvest Parade"
• and more.....
  
• Plus a very special musical guest appearance by Caspar Babypants, who will lead all children and adults in a fun "nature song sing-along"!

Blues for Food Fest - Harvest Parade!
Here are a couple of photos from yesterday's Harvest Parade, which has been a special event for the children and families who attend the annual Blues for Food Fest. We picked 14 baskets of green and purple beans, squash, tomatoes, strawberries, kohlrabi, chives, and oregano to donate to local food banks!


Garden Description
This vibrant, interactive, children’s garden is open FREE to the public year-round, during all hours that Magnuson Park is open. The garden was designed by a team of professionals, using the ideas that were dreamed up by children from the community, and is filled with plants and other features that delight all the senses:
• A sea of grasses that rustle in the wind.
• Hundreds of plants that feed butterflies and other beneficial insects, hummingbirds and songbirds.
• The Tea Garden and Pizza Garden.
• Child-size picnic tables, plus tree stump stools and benches to sit and dream.

• A spiral path up a hill to the Lookout, the highest point in the whole community garden.
• The Fort Zone, complete with everything you'll need to build a unique "house" of your own.
• The Salmon Survival Path, which winds from our "ocean" up to the Lookout.
• A Grey Whale Garden, complete with mosaic tail and eyes, and a tall grass spout!



We welcome all volunteer groups who would like to help sustain the Children's Garden. As the Seattle Works volunteers (photo left) will testify, our "Gardening Day" events are tons of fun too!

For more information on our events and volunteer opportunities, contact the Magnuson Children's Garden Committee at magnusonchildrensgarden@gmail.com

Links:
For info about the Jr. Nature Explorers program, which is sponsored by the Magnuson Community Center, visit http://jrnatureexplorers.blogspot.com

You can also find additional information about the Magnuson Children’s Garden and Community Garden at http://www.seattle.gov/magnusongarden/default.htm



Directions to the Garden:
The Children's Garden is part of the 3.5 acre Magnuson Community Garden, located inside Warren G. Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
The Children's Garden is easy to find! It is located right behind building #406, also known as "The Brig". If you are traveling to the garden by foot or by car, follow these directions:

Enter Magnuson Park at the 74th St entrance. Go approx. 4 blocks until you reach the second 4-way stop sign. The entrance to the Community Garden is via the sidewalk on the north side of this intersection. The Children's Garden is just a few steps down the sidewalk- look on your left for an entry arbor with colorful flags and a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar Tree draped over its top, and the giant Grey Whale Garden !

If you're driving, turn right at that second 4-way stop, and park in the Jr. League Playground parking lot. (if you reach the dog park you've gone too far) Use the crosswalk to go back across 74th St. and into the Children's Garden!


Magnuson Park is a proud participant in the annual National Environmental Education Week, which was held this year on April 11th-17th. The Magnuson Community Center, Children's Garden, and Bird-Friendly Landscape hosted several educational events that week for school-age children!

For more info on National Environmental Education Week, visit http://www.eeweek.org

Come Have Fun in the Sun!

Welcome to the Magnuson Children's Garden! We have several more fun events planned for this summer and fall, and we hope to see your smiling face!

Garden Description
This vibrant, interactive, children’s garden is open FREE to the public year-round, during all hours that Magnuson Park is open. The garden was designed by a team of professionals, using the ideas that were dreamed up by children from the community, and is filled with plants and other features that delight all the senses:
• A sea of grasses that rustle in the wind.
• Hundreds of plants that feed butterflies and other beneficial insects, hummingbirds and songbirds.
• The Tea Garden and Pizza Garden.
• Child-size picnic tables, plus tree stump stools and benches to sit and dream.

• A spiral path up a hill to the Lookout, the highest point in the whole community garden.
• The Fort Zone, complete with everything you'll need to build a unique "house" of your own.
• The Salmon Survival Path, which winds from our "ocean" up to the Lookout.
• A Grey Whale Garden, complete with mosaic tail and eyes, and a tall grass spout!

Here is a list of all the fun events planned for children and their parents in the Magnuson Children's Garden during the rest of summer and fall:
Family Gardening Days:
Wednesday August 18th from 1:00-3:00pm
Friday September 24th from 9:00am-12noon (part of our United Way "Day of Caring" event)

Come spend a summer morning or afternoon at the Magnuson Children's Garden, doing simple and easy tasks to help care for the garden! All adults who participate are invited to bring children with them for free nature activities, such as exploring the worm bin, going on sensory walks, creating nature art, planting and harvesting! Tools and gloves are provided for all adults and children, along with refreshments. Teens receive service learning credit for their volunteering. To top it off, King County Master Gardeners and other horticultural experts are on hand at each event to answer questions about your own garden free of charge!


Garden Celebration Events:
Each summer, the Children’s Garden hosts fun activities for children and families during some of the musical events held at the Magnuson Amphitheater, which is adjacent to the garden.

Saturday September 4th from 12noon-4:00pm:
The Blues for Food Festival
Explore the worm bin, make nature art, and take a 'scratch-and-sniff' leaf walk during this day-long concert event. Children's Garden activities are free, and the funds raised by the concert admission will benefit the P-Patch Trust, which provides food for needy families all across the city and funds the purchase of land for new P-Patches where Seattle residents can grow their own organic produce. This event features performances by many of the area's best blues bands, fabulous food, and a homemade pie auction! Families can also help pick fresh produce from the Jr. Nature Explorers P-Patch to donate to local food banks. For more info, visit www.bluesforfoodfest.org

Saturday October 2nd from 11:30am-2:00pm
Nature Explorers Jamboree and Harvest Celebration
Free admission for all the fun! Sponsored by Magnuson Community Center
Join in celebrating of another great year of Jr. Nature Explorers Camps, Family Nature Explorers Programs, and a bountiful harvest from the Magnuson P-Patch and Demonstration Orchard! There will be tons of fun for the whole family: Scavenger hunts in an orchard maze, a fruit-tasting tent, cider pressing, scarecrow-making, garden tours led by Jr. Nature Explorers, picking produce for local food banks, a "Harvest Parade", and more..... plus a very special musical guest appearance by Caspar Babypants, who will lead a "nature song sing-along"!




We welcome all volunteer groups who would like to help sustain the Children's Garden. As the Seattle Works volunteers (photo left) will testify, our workparty events are tons of fun too!

For more information on our events and volunteer opportunities, contact the Magnuson Children's Garden Committee at magnusonchildrensgarden@gmail.com

Links:
For info about the Jr. Nature Explorers program, which is sponsored by the Magnuson Community Center, visit http://jrnatureexplorers.blogspot.com

You can also find additional information about the Magnuson Children’s Garden and Community Garden at http://www.seattle.gov/magnusongarden/default.htm



Directions to the Garden:
The Children's Garden is part of the 3.5 acre Magnuson Community Garden, located inside Warren G. Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
The Children's Garden is easy to find! It is located right behind building #406, also known as "The Brig". If you are traveling to the garden by foot or by car, follow these directions:

Enter Magnuson Park at the 74th St entrance. Go approx. 4 blocks until you reach the second 4-way stop sign. The entrance to the Community Garden is via the sidewalk on the north side of this intersection. The Children's Garden is just a few steps down the sidewalk- look on your left for an entry arbor with colorful flags and a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar Tree draped over its top, and the giant Grey Whale Garden !

If you're driving, turn right at that second 4-way stop, and park in the Jr. League Playground parking lot. (if you reach the dog park you've gone too far) Use the crosswalk to go back across 74th St. and into the Children's Garden!


Magnuson Park is a proud participant in the annual National Environmental Education Week, which will be held this year on April 11th-17th. The Magnuson Community Center, Children's Garden, and Bird-Friendly Landscape hosted several educational events that week for school-age children!

For more info on National Environmental Education Week, visit http://www.eeweek.org

Volunteers are the Greatest!!!

This past Wednesday, the Children's Garden was visited by an awesome group of volunteers from Seattle Works. They spent 2 hours working hard in the hot sun, to completely weed and mulch the Grey Whale Garden and surrounding areas, to make it all 'spiffed up' for the next day's filming of "Gardening with Ciscoe". And they did it all with smiles on their faces!

Today, another awesome group of Seattle Works volunteers came to do some major projects in the garden. How could we be so lucky! Over a dozen hearty soils spent 4 hours on another hot day, and the result was a transformation of the entire west side of the garden. They weeded and mulched the "Rose Tunnel", a huge bed of Fragrant Sumac, and the "Fort Zone". They also mulched all the main paths and gathering places, to make sure there is a soft landing for any little ones who take a tumble. On top of that, they completely renovated the giant kiosk so that children can paint a garden mural there.

Seattle Works <www.seattleworks.org> is a non-profit organization that has been a vital ingredient in the success and sustainability of the Children's Garden for several years now, enabling us to accomplish many expansion projects as well as helping keep the garden maintained.

Each group and team of volunteers that has come our way from Seattle Works has been full of life and laughter whether rain or shine, and their enthusiasm has been like "wind in the sails" for everyone associated with the garden. Some Seattle Works volunteers have also come up with great ideas for the garden! We are so grateful for the support from this wonderful organization, and all the volunteers who take part in its work.



Joining both of the Seattle Works events this week were volunteers from King County Master Gardeners, another non-profit organization that has been a stalwart and long-time supporter of the Children's Garden. Since 2002, veteran and intern Master Gardeners have been participating in the planning and development of the garden, as well as attending almost every workparty and special event that we have hosted. They too, have contributed an enormous amount of energy and ideas to the garden, and their dedication is a mainstay in its success and sustainability! The Master Gardener Foundation of King County also provides an annual donation to the Children's Garden for supplies and volunteer recognition.


Over the years, there have been many other volunteers and organizations involved in expanding and sustaining the Magnuson Children's Garden, and we are very grateful for all of their efforts. Here are a few more:


2 local Eagle Scout candidates who, along with their troop members, built two major additions to the garden: the first scout group built the giant entry arbor in 2005, and the second scout group built the colorful and beautiful Children's Garden sign and songbird roosting-boxes that grace it just this spring!

Horticulture students from Edmonds Community College, under the guidance of Christine Pfeiffer, instructor and long-time member of the Children's Garden Commitee: her students have expertly pruned many different types of shrubs in the Children's Garden on several occasions, as well as trees in the nearby Demonstration Orchard.

Parents, teachers, and students from Thornton Creek School, who created the beautiful and educational Salmon Survival Path mosaic in 2007.














Last but certainly not least, the many children from age 4-14 who have graced the garden with their willing hands, hard work, and joyous spirit over these past eight years!













We welcome you to contribute your efforts to sustaining the Magnuson Children's Garden, whether for a one-time workparty or for ongoing support. The Children's Garden is part of the Magnuson Community Garden, a registered 501-C3 non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.seattle.gov/magnusongarden
or email us at magnusonchildrensgarden@gmail.com.

"Gardening with Ciscoe" in the Children's Garden!

The Magnuson Children's Garden welcomed some very special guests today: Ciscoe Morris and Meeghan Black from the very popular "Gardening with Ciscoe" TV show!

A group of happy and excited children from the Jr. Nature Explorers program greeted Ciscoe and Meeghan, and showed them all their favorite parts of the Children's Garden: the Lookout, the Salmon Survival Path, Grey Whale Garden, Worm Bin, Starfish Garden, and of course the Rolling Lawn!





































And guess what? Ciscoe even rolled down the hill with them!

























There were several other special guests that day too: three of the young garden designers who first helped dream up all the features that make this garden so wonderful, and then helped dig holes for the very first "baby plants" that have now grown big and beautiful. These three knew the garden when it was just a parking lot, and helped transform it into what it is today, along with many others from the community!
Above: Jasper (far left) and Madison (very far right)
Below: Max









As they have grown up over the past 8 years, they have also seen the the legacy of their imagination, creation, and energy benefit all the young children who now find such joy in the garden.




















One of the magical things about the Magnuson Children's Garden is that every interesting and colorful feature that you will see when you visit- from the "high peak" of the Lookout to the "ocean's edge" filled with Tide Pool and Bog Gardens- came from the imagination of dozens of young children. Design charettes in 2002-2003, hosted by a group of volunteer landscape professionals, enabled them to dream big and create a wish list of amazing ideas that the 'grown-ups' then put together into a plan. Subsequent charettes and ongoing input each year from children who love the garden have nurtured its growth, gradually and sustainably. And isn't it the way of all living things to start small and grow bigger?

Most of the children present for today's filming have been to the garden many times for Jr. Nature Explorers Camps or special events. But several were there for the first time, and yet instinctively knew how they could explore it, and were drawn to navigate each and every special place and make it their own. Seeing this happen again and again at each of our events is a reminder of the wisdom of children - both that of the young designers and that of the visitors!

Kids weren't the only ones having fun today, as it looked like all the 'grown-ups' found the whole garden quite enjoyable too!














































The "Gardening with Ciscoe" episode featuring the Magnuson Children's Garden will premiere on the following dates and channels:

Saturday July 31st at 10am on KING-TV, channel 5

Saturday July 31st at 1:30pm on KONG-TV, channel 6

Sunday August 1st at 11:30am on NWCN-TV, channel 2

It will be aired again on:
Saturday August 14th at 10am on KING-TV, channel 5

Saturday August 14th at 1:30pm on KONG-TV, channel 6

Sunday August 15th at 11:30pm on NWCN-TV, channel 2

We hope you'll tune in, and that you'll come visit the garden yourself! For more info on the Magnuson Children's Garden and the list of all our upcoming summer and fall events, click on the June posting above, or contact us at magnusonchildrensgarden@gmail.com

If you're interested in finding out about Magnuson Community Center's "Nature Explorers" Program would be a great fit for your child, family, or school, visit jrnatureexplorers.blogspot.com or contact the Magnuson Community Center at 206-684-7026.

Thanks again to Ciscoe, Meeghan, Anne, Wolfgang, and all the children and parents who brightened up the garden with their smiles today!

Summer Fun in the Children's Garden!

Welcome to the Magnuson Children's Garden website! We have lots of wonderful summer activities and events planned, and each one is designed to increase the fun, education, and sustainability of the garden.

Garden Description
This vibrant, interactive, children’s garden is open FREE to the public year-round, during all hours that Magnuson Park is open. The garden was designed by a team of professionals, using the ideas that were dreamed up by children from the community, and is filled with plants and other features that delight all the senses:
• A sea of grasses that rustle in the wind.
• Hundreds of plants that feed butterflies and other beneficial insects, hummingbirds and songbirds.
• The Tea Garden and Pizza Garden.
• Child-size picnic tables, plus tree stump stools and benches to sit and dream.
• A spiral path up a hill to the Lookout, the highest point in the whole community garden.
• The Fort Zone, complete with everything you'll need to build a unique "house" of your own.
• The Salmon Survival Path, which winds from our "ocean" up to the Lookout.
• A Grey Whale Garden, complete with mosaic tail and eyes, and a tall grass spout!

The Magnuson Children's Garden hosts free events throughout the spring and summer months that are fun for children and their parents. Here's what is planned:

Summer Events

Family Gardening Workparty Events:
Come spend a summer afternoon at the Magnuson Children's Garden, doing simple and easy tasks to help care for the garden! All adults who participate are invited to bring children with them for free nature activities, such as exploring the worm bin, going on sensory walks, creating nature art, planting and harvesting! Tools and gloves are provided for all adults and children, along with refreshments. Teens receive service learning credit for their volunteering. To top it off, King County Master Gardeners and other horticultural experts are on hand at each event to answer questions about your own garden free of charge!
Summer schedule:
Wednesday June 23rd from 1:00-3:00pm
Wednesday July 21st from 1:00-3:00pm
Saturday July 24th from 10:00am-2:00pm
Wednesday August 18th from 1:00-3:00pm

Summer Celebration Events:
Each summer, the Children’s Garden hosts fun activities for children and families during several of the musical events that are held at the Magnuson Amphitheater, which is adjacent to the garden.

Friday July 9th from 6:oo-8:00pm- Family Garden Party!
Enjoy free activities for children and families before and during the free concert by Seattle favorites 'Tickle Tune Typhoon"!

Friday July 30th from 6:oo-8:00pm- Family Garden Party!
Enjoy free activities for children and families before and during the free concert by Seattle favorites 'The Not Its"!

Saturday September 4th (Labor Day weekend) from 12noon-4pm:
Enjoy activities for children and families during the "Blues for Food Festival". This day-long concert event raises funds to benefit the P-Patch Trust, which provides food for needy families all across the city and funds the purchase of land for new P-Patches where Seattle residents can grow their own organic produce. This event features performances by many of the area's best blues bands, fabulous food, and a homemade pie auction! For more info, visit www.bluesforfoodfest.org

Fall Fun- Just scheduled!!!
Saturday October 2nd from 11:30am-2:00pm
Fall Harvest Celebration/Jr. Nature Camp Jamboree
Join in the celebration of another year of bountiful harvest from the Magnuson P-Patch, Jr. Nature Explorers Garden, and the Demonstration Orchard! Apple tasting, cider pressing, harvest maze, garden tours led by Jr. Nature Explorers, and more..... plus a very special musical guest appearance by Caspar Babypants!


We welcome all volunteer groups who would like to help sustain the Children's Garden. As the Seattle Works volunteers (photo left) will testify, our workparty events are tons of fun too!

For more information on our events and volunteer opportunities, contact the Magnuson Children's Garden Committee at magnusonchildrensgarden@gmail.com

Links:
For info about the Jr. Nature Explorers program, which is sponsored by the Magnuson Community Center, visit http://jrnatureexplorers.blogspot.com

You can also find additional information about the Magnuson Children’s Garden and Community Garden at http://www.seattle.gov/magnusongarden/default.htm



Directions to the Garden:
The Children's Garden is part of the 3.5 acre Magnuson Community Garden, located inside Warren G. Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
The Children's Garden is easy to find! It is located right behind building #406, also known as "The Brig". If you are traveling to the garden by foot or by car, follow these directions:

Enter Magnuson Park at the 74th St entrance. Go approx. 4 blocks until you reach the second 4-way stop sign. The entrance to the Community Garden is via the sidewalk on the north side of this intersection. The Children's Garden is just a few steps down the sidewalk- look on your left for an entry arbor with colorful flags and a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar Tree draped over its top, and the giant Grey Whale Garden !

If you're driving, turn right at that second 4-way stop, and park in the Jr. League Playground parking lot. (if you reach the dog park you've gone too far) Use the crosswalk to go back across 74th St. and into the Children's Garden!


Magnuson Park is a proud participant in the annual National Environmental Education Week, which will be held this year on April 11th-17th. The Magnuson Community Center, Children's Garden, and Bird-Friendly Landscape hosted several educational events that week for school-age children!

For more info on National Environmental Education Week, visit http://www.eeweek.org

Whale Eye Stolen!!!

Sometime between Tues April 20th and Thurs April 22nd, this beautiful mosaic eye was stolen from the Magnuson Children's Garden whale garden sculpture. It is approx. 18" x 30", made from concrete, river rock, and tile, and weighs at least 75 lbs. A police report has been filed, along with photos, so if anyone tries to sell this to you as a 'garden ornament' or you see it anywhere, please call the police. Please circulate this photo to anyone you think would help spread the word. Thanks so much for your help.