HOW IT ALL BEGAN…

For Donna Solomon, the garden was never just a garden.
It was healing. It was wonder. It was a place where life could be touched, tasted, and truly experienced.

That connection started in childhood and stayed with her for years. But in 2010, after retiring from law enforcement and raising young children of her own, Donna saw something missing.

She had taken her kids to hikes and botanical gardens. They loved nature. They were curious. They wanted to explore.

But too often, the message was:

Don’t touch.
Don’t run.
Don’t get dirty.
Don’t make a mess.

And Donna kept coming back to one question:

How are children supposed to learn from nature if they’re never allowed to fully experience it?

That question became the seed for GardenWorks for Kids.

What started with a dream and a whole lot of sweat equity grew into something beautiful: a place where children can dig, plant, explore, taste, create, and connect with the natural world in a hands-on way.

With support from the local community, the city, and generous businesses, that dream became a reality.

Today, GardenWorks for Kids is a children’s learning garden where families, schools, educators, and community members come to experience the magic of nature up close. Through hands-on education, we help children build connection to the earth, healthy habits, curiosity, and joy.

Because childhood should include dirt under the fingernails, wonder in the eyes, and the freedom to learn by doing.

— Donna Solomon, Founder