The Children’s Discovery Garden teaches children, through organic means, about their natural source of food.

This tangible learning experience will promote the children’s connection with the soil and natural cycles of Earth. The fostering of an appreciation of nature will increase the children’s Earth Literacy.

The Garden will provide an alternative, creative outdoor activity, and will encourage the holistic growth of our community’s consciousness.

The Garden is located at LaVista Park in Godfrey, IL.

We host groups of all ages, however our main focus is educating children  ages 4-14. We offer field trips, annual programs and workshops.

Upcoming Events:

Plant some seeds... (still accepting volunteers)
Mulching Days (still accepting volunteers)
Earthworms (still accepting volunteers)
Community Workshops (looking for presenters)

Please contact us for more information.

Sarah Carney
Project Manager
h:618.717.0028
communitycultivators@hotmail.com

The Community Cultivators received its non-profit status in April of 2002. Soon thereafter the Godfrey Parks & Recreation agreed to lease a one-acre plot to the Community Cultivators for $1 a year. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Garden was held in 2003 and followed by the first plantings.

Today the Discovery Garden is still a project funded by and hosted by the Community Cultivators.

If you are an educator interested in our program or a member of the community please contact our project manager for more information.

Our Board Members Incude:

Christina Blount - President; Staff Supervior
cchapman@lc.edu

Jill Mellenthin - Vice President; Maintenance/Planning Committee
jmellenthin@lc.edu

Blair Campbell - Secretary; Maintenace/Planning Committee
blairbcampbell@aol.com

Catherine Dondanville - Treasurer; Grant Writing Committee; Finance/Budget Committee
catdon316@aol.com

Christine Favilla - Finance/Budget Committee; Grant Writing Committee; Special Event Committee
cfavilla19@sbcglobal.net

Paid Staff:

Jaime Hines - Head Gardener
livintosoar@yahoo.com

Sarah Carney - Project Manager
communitycultivators@hotmail.com

You can become a:

garden mentor: assisting at the garden weekly to lead groups of people as the learn about gardening and how our program works

in-classroom mentor: taking part in presentations at local schools

site maintenance helper: assisting with general garden upkeep

event assistance: working with children, assisting with education through activities and games 

fundraising: creative ideas and activities are always welcome

or help us with your special skills… we are always interested in new ideas and volunteers with special skills

Volunteer Orientation:

March 20th from 11:00AM - 1:00PM at the Discovery Garden

Orientation is free. You can come learn the basics of organic gardening and how the garden works. Because we work with children a background check is required.

Please contact our Project Manager, Sarah Carney at 618.717.0028 or communitycultivators@hotmail.com to register.

website coming soon: thediscoverygarden.org

Location:
Children's Discovery Garden
LaVista Park
2421 West Delmar Ave.
Godfrey, IL. 62035
(entrance marked by two stone pillars leading to parking lot)

Time:
9:30 - 11:00AM

Dates:

May 22
Jun 5 & 19
Jul 17 & 31
Aug 7

Description:
Roses are red, violets are blue, come play at the Discovery Garden and learn a thing or two. Join the Godfrey Parks & Recreation Department & the Community Cultivators in 2010 for Earthworms.

"Gardeners" will explore natural sources of food through this organic, hands-on learning experience by tending to the seasonal duties of the Discovery Garden in LaVista Park. This gardening experience will provide participants with an alternative and creative outdoor activity. Games and art projects included.

Participants should "dress for mess" as every aspect of the garden, including digging in the dirt, will be covered.

Earthworms is open to boys & girls ages 4-14 and will be meeting every other weekend, excluding the Fourth of July weekend, from May 22nd to August 7th, 9:30 - 11:00AM. Early registration begins in March.

To register, contact Godfrey Parks & Recreation Department at (618) 466.1483. We look forward to seeing you.

Location:
Children's Discovery Garden
LaVista Park
2421 West Delmar Ave.
Godfrey, IL. 62035
(entrance marked by two stone pillars leading to parking lot)

Time:
12 - 2PM (following Earthworms)

Dates:
May 22
Jun 5 & 19
Jul 17 & 31
Aug 7

The 6 Topics covered will include:
Organic Basics
Composting & Vermiposting
Herbs
Native Plants
Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
Canning

Workshops are open to adults of all ages however, children are welcome to come along. We will have presenters to guide you through the topics. All workshops will be approximately two hours long.

Please contact our Project Manager, Sarah Carney at 618.717.0028 or communitycultivators@hotmail.com to register.

More details TBD...

...and watch them grow throughout the rest of the season.

We will be hosting a public planting day open to all ages at the Discovery Garden the first weekend in March. It's a fun activity for children and a great place to interact with other members of the community. 

Location:
Children's Discovery Garden
LaVista Park
2421 West Delmar Ave.
Godfrey, IL. 62035
(entrance marked by two stone pillars leading to parking lot)

Time:
11:00 - ?

Dates:
Saturday, March 6th (weather permitting, if weather becomes an issue on the 6th we will rescedule for the 7th)

Please contact our Project Manager, Sarah Carney at 618.717.0028 or communitycultivators@hotmail.com to register.

Please join us in late February at the Garden for what will be the very begining of our 2010 season. We will be mulching the perimeter around our brand-new fence that was donated by Lowe's last fall.  

Location:
Children's Discovery Garden
LaVista Park
2421 West Delmar Ave.
Godfrey, IL. 62035
(entrance marked by two stone pillars leading to parking lot)

Time:
10:00 - 12:00AM

Dates:
Saturday, February 21 & 27

Please contact our Project Manager, Sarah Carney at 618.717.0028 or communitycultivators@hotmail.com to register.