Happy Holidays from the PlayGarden
Fours Seasons Hotel on March 26th 2015
SAVE THE DATE for our 2015 Play, Grow and Learn Luncheon
The PlayGarden's "Play, Grow and Learn Luncheon" is our biggest fundraising event of the year held at the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle on March 26th, 2015. Guests will enjoy a complimentary lunch and have the opportunity to donate towards 2015-16 PlayGarden Programs for children with special needs.
Doors open at 11:30AM. Program and Lunch begin at 12PM.
Admission: Free
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
99 Union Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Saturday, October 4th 2014
October Harvest Festival
April, 2014.
Profile of the PlayGarden in Courageous Creativity magazine
Shirin Subhani and Shahana Dattagupta, publishers of Courageous Creativity, were inspired to become curators of stories of courageous creativity after experiencing firsthand, the transformative power of creative thinking and expression.
Click here for the complete story.
SAVE THE DATE - Thursday, March 20th 2014
Winter 2013 - May songs of joy fill your heart this holiday season
August 17th, 2013
March 2013
The Seattle Children's PlayGarden is featured in Country Gardens
See the entire article in the March 2013 issue of Country Gardens magazine.
February 20th - 24th, 2013.
Swiss Family Robinson was the theme at this year's garden show
The PlayGarden at the Garden Show was once again a huge success. The Swiss Family Robinson themed play area was enjoyed by both happy kids and their families. Many played on the 3 tiered thatch roof huts for hours while tired parents relaxed. Others planted beans in coconut shells, sculpted moon clay and played croquet on the grass lawn. Many thanks to Wendy Welch Garden Design for a beautiful PlayGarden at the Garden Show.
More images from our 2013 PlayGarden at the Garden Show.
September 27th, 2012.
Celebrating 10 years at the 2012 Play Grow & Learn Luncheon
Children's PlayGarden celebrates 10 years and honors Dr. Abe Bergman and the Sitchin family. Almost 300 friends, fans, and families attended the 4th Annual PlayGarden Luncheon and raised $50,000 to help fund programs in the coming year, helping to ensure that children of all ages and abilites have the chance to play, learn, and grow in the company of their family and friends!
More images from our 2012 Play, Grow & Learn luncheon.
September 8th, 2012
Seattle Design District Association Sidewalk Sale #2.
The Seattle Design District Association held their second annual Sidewalk Sale this fall. Highlights include six gourmet food vendors, live music & raffle to support the PlayGarden.
See more images from the SDDA Sidewalk Sale.
May 23rd, 2012
Thierry & Sherman's "Evening of Literary Gastronomy"
Thierry Rautureau, Chef in the Hat, and Sherman Alexie, author and PlayGarden parent, entertained during this recent fundraiser at the PlayGarden. About 90 guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, drinks, music and great company.
View more photos of this fun event.
2012
Trimpin to Create A Musical Fence at the PlayGarden
Trimpin, the world-renowned Seattle sculptor, sound artist, musician, composer, engineer and inventor has been commissioned to create a musical fence at the PlayGarden, announced director, Liz Bullard. A grant of $7,500 was recently awarded by King County 4 Culture to initiate the project; an additional $7,500 is being sought from private sources to supplement the county grant.
Trimpin's interest in creating a permanent art-music feature stemmed from a 5 day workshop he conducted last summer at the PlayGarden for teenagers with special needs. He says: "The workshop gave me an understanding of what type of an installation might work best for children with special needs. I imagine a "musical fence" running parallel to the Garden House.
The structure would incorporate weather-and-vandal-proof, tuned, colorful, metallic sound objects resembling percussion-like instruments to be played manually or mechanically from both sides of the sculpture. The sounds produced would be subtle so as not to disturb the nearby surroundings while at the same time exciting the curiosity of the children. In addition to having fun playing tunes, the sculpture will also serve as an educational tool to learn the fundamentals of sound. I very much look forward to working on this unique project. More about Trimpin Musical Fence.
View photos of Trimpin workshop at the PlayGarden
February, 2012.
In Dialogue with Liz Bullard in Courageous Creativity
Shirin Subhani and Shahana Dattagupta, publishers of Courageous Creativity, were inspired to become curators of stories of courageous creativity after experiencing firsthand, the transformative power of creative thinking and expression.
Click here for the complete interview with Liz Bullard.
February 8-12, 2012.
Northwest Flower & Garden Show
"The PlayGarden" returned for a 2nd year with hands-on fun for children and parents!
Around-the-clock activities for children included a series of fun musical entertainers every show day, including "Caspar Babypants", Nancy Stewart, "Your Imaginary Friends", Jana Vitols & Greg Ruby, and Lisa Taylor with the "Creepin' Critters."
View more photos of the PlayGarden at the Garden Show
1st Dibs 2011
Liz Bullard Honored for "Giving Back to the Community."
The editorial blog of 1st Dibs named PlayGarden Director, Liz Bullard, as one of the 20 top individuals in the country who have "given back to their community" in 2011. 1st Dibs is the world's largest online luxury marketplace. The article about Liz, number 7 on the list, can be accessed at:
1st Dibs honors Liz #7
October 12, 2011.
3rd Annual PlayGarden Luncheon
Almost 300 friends, fans and families attended the 3rd Annual PlayGarden luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel. Hosted by Steve Raible, honored guests were Stan McNaughton, CEO of PEMCO Insurance, and John & Kelly Olerud, Founders of the Jordan Fund. Guest speakers included Shirin Subhani & Naveen Valluri, and Sherman Alexie, PlayGarden parents.
September 18th, 2011.
Seattle Design District Association Sidewalk Sale.
The Seattle Design District Association held their first Sidewalk Sale this fall. The PlayGarden participated and was a big hit for the kids.
Join us for
Choir on Wednesdays
10 week session
Start Date: September 10th
FREE
Register Today
4pm for ages 4-6
5pm for ages 7-12
The new Shade Structure at the PlayGarden was made possible by
the Washington State
Dermatology Association
We all hope to stress the importance of protecting children from ultra-violet rays in order to prevent skin cancer. In addition to Dr. Sharon Kelly and Dr. Julie Francis - Washington State Dermatology Association, we are very grateful to Seattle Parks and Recreation for installing the beautiful shade structure.
Congratulations to Linda Suzman
Congratulations to Linda Suzman, recipient of the Community Service Award from Mass Mutual for volunteer work with Seattle Children's PlayGarden.
We are so very grateful
for all you have done and continue
to do for the PlayGarden.
The references listed below may be helpful to those interested in inclusive recreation, gardening with children, and natural environments. Please let us know if you have found a particularly helpful site that is not listed here by emailing us at [email protected].
These sites are listed here as references, not recommendations.
Boyer Children's Clinic
Serves children with developmental delays or neuromuscular disorders by providing the best solutions for each child and family.
Kindering Center
Provides individualized, family-centered services for children who are disabled, medically fragile, or vulnerable because of abuse or neglect.
Dynamic Family Services
A nonprofit consortium of organizations collaborating to maximize the potential of children with disabilities by providing individualized, family-centered intervention services.
Outdoors for All Foundation
Mission: To enrich the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation.
Families of SMA
FSMA is dedicated to promoting and supporting research, helping families cope through informational programs and support, and educating the public and the medical community about Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Provail
Mission: Supporting people with disabilities to fulfill their life choices.
Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center
Provides equine-assisted therapies for children and adults with disabilities.
Seattle Adaptive Sports
Mission: To enhance and promote the well-being of physically challenged individuals by giving them the opportunity to participate and compete in athletic and recreational activities.
Seattle Parks & Rec
Specialized Programs Offers year-round activities for people with disabilities. Provides recreational opportunities for individuals to participate in activities specifically designed and conducted by trained staff to best meet their needs.
Stanley Stamm Summer Camp
A camp for Seattle Children's Hospital patients that provides children with serious illnesses the chance to experience a typical summer-camp experience.
Friendship Circle
Introduces teenage volunteers to children with special needs to involve them in a full range of social experiences.
Special Sitters
Campfire USA organization that trains girls and boys to be able to competently and comfortably care for children with special needs.
ParentMap Magazine
Resource for Seattle-area parents covering topics such as family events, resources, health and development, parent life.
Northwest Horticultural Society
Mission: To provide a forum for gardeners and plant lovers in the Pacific Northwest to share their interests and learn about horticulture. NHS supports projects that benefit horticulture in the Northwest.
Seattle Tilth
Mission: Inspires and educates people to garden organically, conserve natural resources, and support local food systems in order to cultivate a healthy urban environment and community. Offers hands-on educational programs for school groups and families.
Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center
A partnership between National Audubon Society and the Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation, the Center engages all kinds of people in learning about and caring for the nature that matters most to them - the nature in their own neighborhood.
KidsGardening.org
Resource of the National Gardening Association, whose mission is to promote home, school, and community gardening as a means to renew and sustain the essential connections between people, plants, and the environment.
Reachout America
A nonprofit foundation helping children in the United States who are confronted with critical health issues and/or lifelong physical challenges by partnering with 1000 camps across America that offer programs, activities, and experiences for these children.
Children & Nature Network
Supports people and organizations working nationally and internationally to reconnect children with nature.
Enid A. Haupt Glass Garden
At the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation in New York City, this therapeutic garden inspired the PlayGarden.