There will be a Grand Opening celebration for Margie’s Garden, a new Children’s Garden, at Boerner Botanical Gardens this Friday, July 8th at 12:30 p.m., hosted by Milwaukee County Parks.
Organizers will provide small flowerpots for kids to plant seeds, and there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director Guy Smith, Milwaukee County Supervisor Patti Logsdon, and Margie’s Smile Executive Director Tim Kezman will be there.
‘Margie’s Garden’ is now open at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, and it’s unlike anything else in the Milwaukee area.
The new children’s garden is an enchanted village for kids, featuring an Alphabet and Number Garden, fiddlehead path, twig hut and mushroom chair rings, a sound garden, a bug garden with friendly bug sculptures, a playhouse, a storybook nook, a pollinator garden, sunflower garden, 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.
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 website and Facebook page.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
