The Childrens' Garden at Magnuson Park is an interactive garden, designed  and inspired by children from the northend neighborhoods.  Its purpose is to delight and engage children in the wonders and beauties of making things grow, of learning to save our environment, and to spread this knowledge to others. Led by volunteer landscape architects and designers, the Childrens' Garden Committee held a design charette in 2002 with 28 children, ages 5-13 from neighboring schools. Several design themes emerged that were incorpoated into the final childern's garden design.

One of the first "landmarks" of the Children's Garden was a temporary sign pictured above.

The central element of the garden is a large mound overlooking the Orchard to the West and the Amphitheater to the Northeast.   From the viewpoint at the top, one gathers a territorial view of the community garden, park, and lake beyond. The plant pallet includes a diverse collection of plants that offer scent, structure, and tactile exploration. It is filled with flowers and plants. The pathway are lined with stones painted by the children in bright colors. Volunteers planted 400 shrubs and grasses, built a tool shed, added stepping stone paths, installed a "rolling lawn" adjacent to the Orchard, and installed drip irrigation system. A gravel courtyard was created and beds around its periphery were planted. The children have adopted a nautical theme for their garden. To kick off the theme, a Big Blue Whale bed was planted with silver foliage plants with ornamental grass for the spout. Fundraising is underway to design and install a sculptural whale tail with children for this garden bed. In the Spring of 2004, a Starfish border was planted with a small hedgerow of aromatic herbs and boxwoods in the shape of a Starfish.

A local Eagle Scout Troop used logs Remaining from the construction of the Amphitheater Arbor to create an arch over the entrance of the Childrens' Garden

Various forms of wildlife have sought the Childrens' Garden for their home:Two Killdeer nests, a frog (in the irrigation box), numerous Hummingbirds,  and Goldfinches perch on the climbing rose canes. Butterflies abound.
	Childrens' Work Party pictured above.

Several educational workshop sessions are being offered for children and a slide show for adults on "Gardening and Nature Study with Kids." The first workshop for kids, ages 5-9, is "Fun with Flowers and Seeds" on Saturday, October 2nd from 10-11:30 am in the garden. Call the Sand Point Community Center at 684-7026 to register for these free events.

A 3-year celebration party is being held in October 8, from 4-6 pm in the garden adjacent to the Brig. Guests will include all those who have participated in the childrens' garden over the past 3 years...from charette to present and also newcomers and neighbors.