Selby Gardens Children's Rainforest

Project Overview

A Children’s Rainforest where children are free to play, explore and learn in a world filled with wonder and natural surprises; an opportunity for children and families to connect with nature.

Mission

To create a Children’s Rainforest at Selby Gardens that is a safe, natural place for young children and their families to develop a life-long appreciation for the living world through outdoor play, discovery and learning.

Theme

The central theme of the Children’s Garden is the rainforest, known to be one of the most fragile environments on earth.

Audience

The Selby Children’s Garden is designed for fun and education for children of all ages.

• Connect children to the living world.
• Develop an awareness of stewardship.
• Foster a child’s sense of wonder and curiosity.
• Instill an appreciation of nature.
• Increase family visitation and family membership.
• Improve the quality of the visitor experience.
• Develop a model for a successful children’s garden that can be shared.
• Develop dynamic programming that continuously changes and evolves.

The Banyan Tree constitutes the main point of departure of the garden. Under the magnificent branches, a shaded deck provides a place for parents to sit and socialize while children can safely depart toward their adventure through the rainforest Garden. Having this one point of access and exit gives parents assurance that no child can enter or exit the garden without their supervision. This safe device allows each child to freely explore, play and leave at their own rhythm.

The Fern Canyan is a world of textures, mists and hidden treasures. Plants and rocks frame the space into a narrow corridor, which engages the senses and allows guests to be immersed into the infinite richness of the rainforest.

The Research Station is one of the main centers of the garden. Hidden behind the mountain and waterfall from the entrance, the station is a place of discovery. Between roots and canopy, children explore the rainforest in sections. From the sunken steps to the suspended hammock, the elevated deck and a house up in the trees, children unveil the multiple layers of the forest.

The Canopy Walk is a place of (safe) risks that engage the body and mind toward the quest of exploring the upper layers of the rainforest. The world of wings – birds and butterflies – is a place to feel the wind and open vistas.

Frog and Butterfly Exhibit – Deep in the rainforest are hidden the most interesting creatures: frogs, birds and butterflies are the colorful spirits of the forest. At first, under the enclosure, one can hear the flap of bright butterflies and the squawking sound of unique birds. Within the plants, visitors have to look all around for the infinite diversity of the fauna and flora. Within the same enclosure and protected in the darkness of the cave are terrariums with poison dart frogs. Everyone is surprised by the frogs. They appear so small and fragile, yet enchant children with their elaborate, bright and colorful patterns.

The Pond is located just beside the banyan entry plaza. A stream flowing from the waterfall continuously refreshes the shallow body of water, a cool place to step into. Faux lily pads and a raft are inviting children to step on, bounce and splash.

The Amphitheater welcomes groups as they come from the banyan tree at the entrance and make their way in the Amazon village. Throughout the day, comfortably seated under the shade of the banyan tree, children and parents enjoy stories, puppet shows or other educational lectures given on the stage of the Communal Shelter.

The Event Lawn provides a place for children to dance, jump and bounce barefoot on the ground. Open to group events, birthdays and celebrations, the Event Lawn is the social center for everyone to interact.

The Horticulture Station is the learning center of the Gardens and focuses on plants. Back on the ground, children dig in the dirt and pot some of the species found in the rainforest. At the Horticulture Station, everyone confirms lessons learned during exploration of the forest. Here children catalog, draw, pot and nurture young seedlings and flowers; count worms found in the ground; and learn about bugs and decay –the cycle of life.

Shelters The Village is build along the edge of the rainforest and offers various types of shelters that welcome numerous kinds of activities.

The Communal Shelter is located at the base of the amphitheater. It is mainly composed of a wood deck that serves as a stage with a large thatch roof to protect children from sun and rain. Its openness allows for maximum flexibility in terms of programs and group sizes.

The Huts are three individual, circular structures with conical thatch roofs that define the Amazon Village. One is intended as a tool shed with garden tools for children. The hut by the Communal Shelter could serve as a changing room – a place to put on rainforest animal costumes or have your face painted. The third hut may remain open to various activities, depending on the events taking place in the Gardens.

The Horticulture Station Tent is a large hovering, tensile canopy under which a deck and large tables welcome children to draw, catalog, pot and nurture young seedlings and flowers.

The Birthday Tent is set in proximity to the large Event Lawn, to welcome various size groups without affecting the functioning of the remainder of the Gardens.

The Adventure Trail occupies the edge between the Amazon Village and the Rainforest. At ground level along a winding path, hidden niches are found under the elevated decks; these are the most secret places to be found, where vines and roots are woven into the most primal architectures.

If you would like further information regarding the Children’s Rainforest at Selby Gardens, or you would like to contribute in this amazing mission, please contact Susan McLeod, Chair of the Children’s Rainforest, or Jessica Ventimiglia, Interim Executive Director of the Gardens.

Susan McLeod
Chair – Children Rainforest Committee
susanmcleod@michaelsaunders.com
Phone: (941) 951-2541
Cell Phone: (941) 928-4445
Fax: (941) 362-7733

Jessica Ventimiglia
Interim Executive Director
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
jventimiglia@selby.org
Phone: (941) 366.5731, Extension 226

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