‘Margie’s Garden’ will open May 1st, 2023 at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, and it’s unlike anything else in the Milwaukee area.
The new children’s garden opened last year and is an enchanted village for kids.
It features an Alphabet Garden, a Numbers Garden, sound makers, playhouses, slides, a giant caterpillar and birds nest to play on, a “Flower Shop”, a small stage and seating area, and more.
There’s also a potting shed where kids can play in the dirt with tethered tools.
It is an accessible space that is wheelchair and stroller friendly, with a pavilion for shade and benches for resting. Bathrooms are in the main Boerner building.
The entire garden is fenced in with one main entrance and exit (with emergency exits on each side).
Entrance to Margie’s Garden is included in paid admission to Boerner Botanical Gardens. Children 5 and under get into the gardens free.
New This Year
New in 2023, improvements have been made to the interactive musical features. There will be new drums, chimes, and colorful instruments shaped like flowers.
Look for a new statue placed on the pedestal outside of the main gate depicting a woman gardening wearing a big sun hat and Keds (like Margie), surrounded by children.
Margie’s Garden will open Monday, May 1st through October 31st between 8 a.m. – 7 p m., seven days a week.
Once the Thursday night concerts in the garden start at Boerner, the children’s garden closes at 4 p.m. on Thursdays.
More updates are expected this year, and we will be sure to include them here as we get them.
How It Began
Soon after Margaret “Margie” Kezman passed away after a courageous battle with breast cancer, her family wanted to honor her passion for gardening and her love for children and family.
They met with the Friends of Boerner and asked what was on their wishlist. When the Friends said they wanted to put in a children’s garden, Margie’s family knew it was the perfect way to honor their mother.
Margie’s daughter Jennifer says “Kids were just drawn to my mom like a magnet and she loved teaching them, spending time with them.”
“Ever since I was a little girl, I remember seeing her outside gardening, putting her whole heart into it.”
To make Margie’s Garden happen, Margie’s family organized a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called Margie’s Smile. The mission is to build and maintain an environment which fosters the same loving spirit that Margie shared with everyone who knew her.
The nonprofit has gifted Margie’s Garden to the Milwaukee County Parks to be a part of Boerner Botanical Gardens.
To raise funds to maintain the garden for years to come, they’ve partnered with Givebutter. Donors can give securely and easily using a variety of payment methods. 100% of donations raised goes directly towards maintaining the garden. (Donate here.)
More information about their mission and story can be found on their website and Facebook page, or you can email them at info@margiessmile.org.
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