Children's Garden set to reopen at Atlanta Botanical Garden

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While many favorites will remain in the Children's Garden, more than a decade of wear and tear meant it was time for an update.

Based on information gleaned from focus groups made up of Garden members and their children, designer Deneen Powell Atelier developed plans to improve the most utilized area of the Children's Garden and create new features.

When the new space opens, it will feature a larger splash pad -- twice the size of the previous area -- with additional seating for parents and caregivers. The large sunflower fountain splash pad once greeted guests at the entrance of the Children's Garden. Now, the entrance has been re-routed so that visitors do not have to pass through the splash area to enjoy the other garden features. A new restroom building offers a family restroom nearby as well as a large courtyard.

To encourage more outdoor play, there is a new treehouse area which features climbing nets, a climbing wall, slides and bridges.

For hands-on activities, kids will find a water "painting" wall, a building area and a section with musical instruments. The Garden also will host new nature play activities and classes to be overseen by the Educational Horticulturist, a new position at the Garden.

The flower growth chart will still be part of the new Children's Garden, but will move to a new location. The gnome grotto remains, as does the pond and waterfall which will feature a larger carnivorous plant bog. There will also be more space for edible plants allowing children to have more direct engagement with the full range of plants the Garden has to offer.