The California Botanic Garden has opened a new space devoted to children.
The Children’s Woodland at the Claremont site hosted an opening event April 10-11, drawing families from throughout the region to spend time outdoors.
“I think it’s a beautiful space,” said Chelsea Corgan, who was visiting the site Saturday, April 11. “It will attract a lot of families. And we always want to get outside in nature, and this is a nice way for the kids to play and engage in nature.”
The new Children’s Woodland space at the California Botanic Garden, 1500 N. College Ave., is focused on giving children a “free-form space” to “discover.”
Ashley Armstrong, creator of Children’s Woodland and director of horticulture, poses for a photo during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
Six-year-old Apollo Lee browses a book from a reading bin during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
Six-year-old Graham Loumagne builds a table using cut wooden blocks during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
Four-year-old Emi Chan works on a craft during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
Children gather around a busy craft table during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
Shiloh Drinkwine, 9, and her father, Brian Drinkwine, display their maps before setting out on a nature walk during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
Two-year-old Vada Dezarn and her brother, four-year-old Forrest Dezarn, take turns drawing nature scenes on a whiteboard during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
Children and parents explore the 3,500-square-foot outdoor wooded area during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
Tour guide Marla White leads a group on a nature walk during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
Children listen as volunteer Amy Baumann reads a book during story time at the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
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Ashley Armstrong, creator of Children’s Woodland and director of horticulture, poses for a photo during the grand opening of Children’s Woodland at California Botanic Garden in Claremont on Saturday, April 11. (Photo by Nick Koon, Contributing Photographer)
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The “shady oasis is the first space at the Garden that is dedicated solely to children and the joy of unstructured play in nature,” the California Botanic Garden website says.
The Children’s Woodland will be open during regular hours 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through May.
Admission is free with garden admission and free for California Botanic Garden members.
Information: calbg.org
Freelance photographer Nick Koon contributed to this report.
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