Sandhill Children's Garden
At Sandhill Research & Education Center
The Children’s Garden continues to thrive as a place for education, exploration, and community involvement. Throughout the year, the garden has welcomed visitors, hosted educational programs, expanded garden spaces, and added new features designed to engage children and families in hands-on learning experiences. We are grateful to our volunteers, supporters, garden clubs, and community partners whose dedication continues to make the garden a valuable resource for the community.
Debbie Thomas
Project Director for RCMGA
President of Friend of the Sandhill Children’s Garden
Seasonal Education Programs
This season’s educational programs provided visitors with opportunities to learn about birds, pollinators, gardening, and conservation through engaging presentations and interactive activities.
David Slaunwhite from the South Carolina Bluebird Society shared information about bluebird conservation and habitat development. The Children’s Garden currently maintains three active bluebird houses, providing visitors with the opportunity to observe bluebird activity throughout the season.
Brooklyn Hoagland from Wild Birds Unlimited also presented educational information about birds and wildlife for visitors of all ages.
The annual Earth Day celebration on April 22nd was a wonderful success with approximately 70 visitors attending the event. Children participated in hands-on activities by planting seeds to create a “Sunflower House” and potting sunflower plants to take home. The event provided an opportunity for children and families to learn about gardening, pollinators, and environmental stewardship while enjoying the outdoor garden spaces.
The “Fourth of July Noise Makers” celebration was another successful community event enjoyed by children and families. Children created patriotic bamboo noise makers using bamboo stalks, beans, and red, white, and blue decorations. Approximately 70 visitors attended the celebration, and 45 bamboo noise makers were created during the event.
Monarch Way Station
Exciting activity continues at the certified Monarch Way Station. Visitors can currently enjoy the beautiful Rocky Mountain Shoals hybrid flower display while observing pollinator activity throughout the garden. Each September, monarch butterflies begin arriving at the
garden, allowing visitors to observe the caterpillars develop and eventually emerge as butterflies before beginning their migration journey to Mexico for the winter. The Monarch Way Station continues to serve as an important educational resource focused on pollinator conservation and butterfly habitats.
Sensory Garden a Favorite
The Sensory Garden remains a favorite area for many visitors by providing interactive experiences designed to engage sight, sound, touch, and smell. Visitors can enjoy the sand boxes, fairy garden, tea party and sound exploration area, along with fragrant plants and
sensory experiences throughout the garden. Rosie now also has a new friend named Randy, adding another playful feature to this popular space.
Our New Hoop House
Another major addition to the Children’s Garden this year was the completion of the new Hoop House. This structure will support garden growing projects, RCMGA Plant Sale activities, and the new Victory Garden initiative. We are deeply grateful to the RCMGA for their generous
$3,000 donation toward this important project.
McGregor's Garden Expands
McGregor’s Garden continues to expand with new educational gardening opportunities for children. A fully operational rain barrel now allows children to help water the vegetables growing for Mr. McGregor’s garden.
A beautiful new potting bench was also constructed by one of our volunteers. Master Gardeners continue to maintain and harvest vegetables including cucumbers, eggplant, tomatoes, okra, squash, and lettuce grown especially for the rabbits. The garden provides children with the opportunity to observe vegetables growing and to participate in basic gardening activities throughout the season.
Continuous Improvements
Several improvements and additions were completed throughout the Children’s Garden to enhance both educational opportunities and visitor experiences. The Fit For Fun Area continues to be a popular destination for children visiting the garden. New additions include the balance beams
we also tunnels, hopscotch, and slide activities that encourage outdoor play while helping children develop coordination and balance skills.
Welcoming Special Visitors
The Children’s Garden also welcomed several special visitors throughout the year, including RCMGA interns, Carolina Yard students, and local garden clubs. Camp Discovery in Blythewood toured the Monarch Way Station and Pollinator Garden to gather
ideas for incorporating similar educational pollinator habitats into their own camp programs.
Our Volunteers
The continued success of the Children’s Garden would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, donors, Master Gardeners, garden clubs, and community supporters. Every improvement, educational program, and community event reflects the
generosity and commitment of those who continue to support the garden and its mission of providing educational outdoor experiences for children and families.