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Colorful instruments beg to be played by young visitors to the NYBG's Everett Children's Adventure Garden.

Highlights of the Everett Children's Adventure Garden at NYBG

While the physical footprint of the garden—a 12-acre plot of land just inside its main gates—hasn't changed, the renovations delivered a much-needed update to a beloved destination that hadn't received a major upgrade since its founding in 1998.

Frequent visitors will appreciate the fact that old favorites remain, including the Rock Scramble that was teeming with local schoolkids who were lucky enough to be visiting even as a ribbon cutting was underway, officially reopening the space.

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Come fall, kids can walk among the treetops for a new perspective on this beautiful NYBG space.

Yet, there are also some fun updates, including the still-under-construction Treetop Climb, set to open this fall. Until then, kids can explore a new natural climbing structure or skip from step to step on a railroad timber staircase. There's a bright new selection of musical instruments to play, and brand-new signage punctuates the path that rambles through the garden, challenging visitors to think like scientists and open their eyes to exploration.

Fauna and flora abound as you traverse diverse ecosystems, including a pond, meadow, woodland, and the aforementioned rock outcroppings. A lovely gazebo overlooks a wetland marsh, where I saw red-winged blackbirds flitting about and aquatic turtles making their way through the mud and muck. Nearby, fresh water samples awaited exploration, complete with magnifying glasses and info packets giving you an idea of what you might spot, from water spiders to freshwater shrimp.

Two existing indoor activity centers received some updates, and the whole space echoes the garden's dedication to enhancing opportunities for science education, with a particular focus on STEM topics and environmental education. While it's a lovely space to meander, hands-on programming will drive home lessons and a love for the environment, and garden leaders hope this rejuvenated space inspires a new generation of gardeners, plant scientists, and plant people like the ones who designed it.

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There's plenty to discover during a visit to the 12-acre Everett Children's Adventure Garden at NYBG. 

Know Before You Go to the Everett Children's Adventure Garden

• The Everett Children's Adventure Garden is located just inside the main entrance to the New York Botanical Garden. Access to the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden is included for all visitors to NYBG.
• The NYBG is located in Bronx Park. It is reachable by the B, D, 4, and 2 trains, and the Metro-North Railroad, plus several bus lines. There is on-site paid parking. Visit the website for full directions.
• Purchase your tickets online in advance. All-access tickets start at $15 for children, ages 2-12, and $35 for adults.
• New York City residents can purchase discounted, grounds-only admission on Tuesdays, Thursdays-Sundays. Grounds admission is FREE to all NYC residents on Wednesdays and all visitors on Wednesdays between 10-11am.

Photos by the author