Margie’s Children’s Garden: Here’s What’s New in 2024

‘Margie’s Garden’ opens May 1st, 2024 at Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners, and it’s unlike anything else in the Milwaukee area.

The new children’s garden opened two years ago and is like an enchanted floral 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” (Sponsored by MKE With Kids!) 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.

There are restrooms in the Garden House and the Heirloom Garden, both of which are open until Margie’s Garden closes.  There are also restrooms in the main building, open from 9a – 4p. 

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 2 and under get into the gardens free.

Here are some places to visit while you’re there:

• The Potting Shed
  • Get your hands dirty and play in the rich soil at the vibrant red Potting Shed. A perfect blend of rest and mess!
• Celebration Garden
  • Marvel at Margie’s favorites. Find four rose sculptures and a blue butterfly in this vivid, blooming area of the garden.
• Kaleidoscope Mini-Garden
  • Spin and peek into the kaleidoscopes and watch a swirling, vibrant spectacle of plants dance before your eyes.
• Flower Shop Playhouse
  • Strike up a tune on flower-shaped instruments outside the whimsical Flower Shop Playhouse, sponsored by MKE With Kids.
• Bird’s Nest
  • Nestle into the ‘egg’ rocks, pick a book, and dive into stories amid nature’s embrace.
• Number Garden
  • Practice your numbers with plant beds that grow with learning in the Number Garden.
• Boardwalk
  • Stroll the Boardwalk and enjoy the whimsical wind chimes, and see who has sponsored the garden in “Petal Partners Promenade”.
• Alphabet Garden
  • Sing your way through the alphabet with plants for every letter in this tuneful garden.
• Secret Garden
  • Sneak into a world of hidden delights, where flowers create a living hideaway that changes through the summer.
• Sunflower Garden
  • Stand tall and measure up against the towering sunflowers.
• Sound Garden
  • Bang on bongo drums and tickle chimes in a garden where every plant has its own beat.
• Pollinator Garden
  • Hop on frogs and snuggle up with ladybugs in this soft play area designed to delight and educate about our pollinator pals.
• Amphitheater
  • Sing, dance, and perform your heart out on the natural stage set for family fun and storytime magic.
• Enchanted Village
  • Wander the footpath from the Amphitheater to discover a world of enchantment. Cross the Troll Bridge and explore a cottage straight out of a storybook.
• Pavilion
  • Find a special spot and enjoy a family picnic under the shade of the Pavilion.

Additional Activities:

• Pathway Play: Zip and zag through the winding paths designed for little explorers.
• Cardinal Quest – Keep your eyes peeled for the four hidden cardinals. Can you spot them all?
• Greet Emmy the Bear – Don’t forget to wave hello to Emmy the Bear as you venture into the Enchanted Garden.
• Plant I.D. – Scan the QR code at the entrance to discover the botanical wonders planted this season.

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New This Year

Be sure to stop by the Flower Shop Playhosue, which is sponsored by MKE With Kids this year.

Improvements were made last year to the interactive musical features, which now include 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.

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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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