by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

California Botanic Garden has opened Children’s Woodland, a new natural play area for kids and the culmination of nearly 50 years of planning.

The new area was christened in an April 9 ceremony attended by CBG staff and representatives from city, state, and national agencies.

California Botanic Garden Executive Director Lucinda McDade cuts the ribbon on the new Children’s Woodland on April 9. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

“We have had a children’s feature on the books here at the garden for 45 years, but we have never been able to figure out how to do it right,” said CBG Executive Director Lucinda McDade at the ribbon cutting. “What we have devised here, and what our wonderful horticulture staff have constructed, is basically a shady place off of the trail where kids can get under the oaks and just engage in natural play with natural elements that we have placed here for them.”

The area includes a foraging enclosure, hammocks, a creative space with wood blocks, a water feature, and benches.

“We love this,” said Claremont resident Beth Jager. “It’s nice to have finally a good, dedicated space for the kids.” Six-year-old Aurora Jager agreed, adding the wood block area was her favorite feature. “You get to create with furniture,” she said.

The new feature also includes felled trees that have been repurposed.

“That’s the last of our site native oaks that blew down during our horrible windstorm four years ago,” McDade said. “It lives on here in this Children’s Woodland.”

The project was funded in part by $20,000 from the Babcock Foundation and $10,000 from a private donor. It is open during regular garden hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

(L-R) Sisters Isabella, 3, and Olivia Bujons, 4, at the opening of California Botanic Garden’s new Children’s Woodland on April 9. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

(foreground, L-R) Siblings Emery, 6, and Cooper Aven, 4, build a house using wood blocks at California Botanic Garden’s new Children’s Woodland on April 9. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo

Last week’s celebrations coincided with the opening of CBG’s new children’s art exhibit, “Joy in the Garden,” on view at the Sage Gallery through June 30.

Director of Horticulture Ashlee Armstrong said there are more additions to the children’s area in the pipeline, including a ground level treehouse lined with natural vines, an obstacle course, and a reading area.

“We have a definitive plan,” McDade said. “We have an ask into a foundation for money to support it and we’re just waiting to hear. We’re pretty ready to go. We’ve done all of the research that’s needed to know what we need to buy.”