The Niagara Parks Foundation is inviting families to help shape the design of a planned Children’s Garden at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture.

The four-acre, play-based garden, set to break ground this fall, will be built next to the Butterfly Conservatory and is being developed in partnership with the Niagara Parks Commission. An online survey is now open to gather feedback from parents, guardians and grandparents to inform the detailed design phase.

The initiative is rooted in nature- and play-based learning, with a focus on supporting healthy development in children through outdoor exploration. The garden will be accessible and inclusive for kids of all ages and abilities.

“Our vision for the Children’s Garden is a safe, inclusive and vibrant outdoor classroom that will promote education, play, and physical and mental wellbeing, while cultivating a respect for the environment,” said Debbie Whitehouse, chair of the Niagara Parks Foundation.

By connecting children with nature, she added, the project aims to inspire a new generation of environmental stewards.

Twelve sensory-rich areas are included in the conceptual plans, all intended to celebrate the Niagara River corridor’s unique natural features and history. These include:

• Tree Top Walk: an elevated, accessible timber causeway offering a view into the tree canopy.

• Root Zone: a hands-on area for exploring the forest floor, with lessons on soil, biodiversity and insects.

• The Hive: a whimsical play hub focused on pollinators and their role in ecosystems.

• The Gorge: life-sized fossil and rock layers illustrating 450 million years of natural history.

The project has already undergone consultation with local educators from the District School Board of Niagara, the Niagara Catholic District School Board, Brock University’s Faculty of Education, Royal Oak School and Indigenous groups.

The foundation says construction is expected to begin in 2026, a milestone year marking the 90th anniversary of the Botanical Gardens and its School of Horticulture, and the 30th anniversary of the Butterfly Conservatory.

Sara Austin, founder and CEO of Children First Canada, said projects like the Children’s Garden are increasingly important as kids spend less time outdoors.

“As screen time soars and time in nature declines, spaces like this are more vital than ever,” she said. “Children’s Gardens help bridge the nature deficit, promoting physical and mental wellness, sparking curiosity and imagination, and fostering a deep sense of belonging.”

The Niagara Parks Foundation is a registered charity that supports the commission’s work through fundraising, research and education. Niagara Parks is a self-funded agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, responsible for stewarding 56 kilometres of parkland along the Niagara River.

The public survey is open until Aug. 31 at niagaraparks.com/childrensgarden.