A New Garden is Growing… along with a bunch of old favorites!

With the changing of seasons, the lengthening of days, and the sun’s welcome warmth, we are experiencing amazing growth here at Denver Botanic Gardens! Not only are the perennial beds lush with crocus and tulips, but a new garden is emerging from the earth. And we couldn’t be more delighted!

The Mordecai Children’s Garden—founded with generous support from the Daniel and Janet Mordecai Foundation—is springing up from atop our new parking structure. With a slated opening of Summer 2010 (we’re hoping the rain gods work their magic and we can swing open the gates in late June), the Mordecai Children’s Garden will be the preeminent children’s garden in the Rocky Mountain west.

Situated on nearly three acres of prime real estate, the garden will soon be planted and welcoming hundreds of families each day. Designed with kids in mind, the garden will incorporate many of the important ecosystems found throughout Colorado. From high alpine flora on Pika Peak—one of the mountains in the Fourteener Range—to riparian wetland ecosystems at Pipsqueak Pond, children will explore the wonder of nature with all five of their senses.  There will be an immense amount of dynamic activity packed into this garden. Everything will be kid-sized and accessible.

A view of Pika Peak and Marmot Mountain growing in the Mordecai Children’s Garden!

We hope families will bask in the beauty of the Mordecai Children’s Garden—and enjoy learning first-hand about the importance of plants in our lives. From Cynthia’s Lookout, you can see the Rocky Mountains and Mount Evans in the distance and feel the wind in your hair. In the Home Harvest Garden, children can taste a fresh tomato or pick their very own carrot. There will be grass angels to be made in the Glorious Grasslands, and we hope families will linger throughout this special oasis. 

On Tuesday, lead donor Janet Mordecai and a few members of her family joined Development Director Johanna Kelly, Director of Operations Tom Aljinovich and GH Phipps Construction Companies representatives for a behind-the-scenes tour of the construction progress. It’s amazing how in just a few weeks things can change so dramatically. As you can see from the photos, the forms of both Pika Peak and Marmot Mountain are emerging and soon they’ll be covered in rocks and plants that will last for generations.

We’ve seen an increase in the number of families visiting Denver Botanic Gardens now that the weather is nice, and we hope you’ll continue coming back until the Mordecai Children’s Garden is open. Each day will be a new adventure there, and we look forward to watching as children enjoy the beauty of nature!