As the companion project to the Lake Restoration, the Nature Discovery Garden reinforces the Garden’s commitment to education, inclusion, and a deep connection to the natural world.
Spanning three acres just beyond the lake, this immersive garden is being designed to spark curiosity, ignite imagination, and invite children and families into meaningful experiences with nature.
The Nature Discovery Garden is designed for all children, from seasoned outdoor explorers to those just beginning to build confidence in green spaces. It will feature areas for climbing, jumping, listening, digging, and simply being present in nature. Every element encourages open-ended, sensory-rich discovery.
Four Unique Zones of Engagement include:
- Cascade Canyon: A dynamic water play and learning area featuring an interactive creekbed that mimics natural water movement in the local foothills,
- Chaparral Challenge: A zone for physical exploration, with climbing structures and digging areas that invite tactile learning and adventure,
- Woodland Discovery: A tranquil space for quiet observation, offering peaceful moments of reflection among the trees
- The Sensory Garden & Learning Pavilion: A place to touch, smell, and learn about native plants, with a new pavilion designed for hands-on programs, classes, and school group visits.
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FAQs
Why are you building a children's garden?
One of the most frequent questions asked in the garden is “What is there to do with children?” The Nature Discovery Garden will be a place where children of all ages can learn about nature and explore.
It is a place where Descanso hopes to inspire the next generation of nature-lovers.
Will wildlife habitat be removed?
The Nature Discovery Garden will activate only three acres of currently wild areas. The 70-acre wildlife corridor will remain undisturbed, and the wildlife will still be able to move safely throughout the gardens and toward the lake area.
Will any trees be removed?
No trees will be removed. In fact, approximately 90 trees will be added across the entire lake area and the Nature Discovery Garden.