Cheyenne Botanic Gardens


 

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Children's Village

 

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       Paul Smith
Children's Village


There are two lasting bequests
 we can give our children:
One is roots. 

The other is wings."
-  Hodding Carter, Jr. 

Children's Village hours

Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 - 6:00,
Friday 10:00 - 5:00,
Saturday - Sunday 11:00-3:30,
Monday CLOSED

Hours are subject to change with the seasons, school calendar and weather. Check this web site regularly or call us direct: 307-637-6349

 

Click here for a Children's Village Calendar of daily activities pdf file
Current Drop-In Activities and Classes
$1.00 suggested donation per child.
Drop in activities last 30 minutes to 1 hour.


 * View Map of the Children's Village
 

* Keep in touch with upcoming news and events at the Paul Smith Children's Village
 

* Click here to see how much solar electricity the Paul Smith Children's Village is generating (real time).


 

For more information contact Aaron Sommers, Education Director
Contact Aaron if you are interested in Volunteering at the above phone number.


 

Media Coverage -


The Paul Smith Children's Village mentioned in New York Times!

Click here to see

 

Paul Smith Children's Village Featured on popular Website/Blog "Inhabitots"  

Click here to see

 

Press Release-

Paul Smith Children’s Village celebrates LEED Platinum Certification

* This is the first Children's Garden in nation to receive such a designation.
* Platinum is the highest rating a project can have.
* This is the first Platinum LEED designation in the City of Cheyenne
* It is the second Platinum LEED certification in the State of Wyoming

See press release or click here

 

 


Botanic Gardens adds music to Paul Smith Children's Village

Staff have recently installed a vertical xylophone, known as the "Swirl," which is made of 25 chrome and brass chimes in C major and A minor, ranging in scale from soprano to alto. Children of all ages are welcome to play the instrument and make their own music while enjoying the outside Children’s Village. “This is a great new addition to the Children’s Village, because it provides an opportunity for music education, and allows for musical creativity in both the summer as well as in the winter,” said Shane Smith, Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Director.

Floyd and Savannah Velasquez gave this gift in memory of their daughter Sara Marie Velasquez. In addition to the Swirl, a tree bench was also added.

 

About the Paul Smith Children’s Village

     The Children's Village was named in honor of longtime Cheyenne resident, business owner, philanthropist and Botanic Garden supporter, Paul Smith. Because the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens has practiced sustainability since 1977 with a solar heated and powered conservatory. An over riding theme of the Paul Smith Children’s Village is past, to the present and future sustainability . Both the landscape and the Lowe's discovery lab building at the site have been applied for a platinum level of recognition in “Energy and Environmental Design” (LEED) certification with the U.S. Green Building Council. Platinum certification is the highest international standard for a green building or landscape. 

 

     The Children’s Village site takes advantage of a stone building and stone walls surrounding a courtyard long used as the city-wide parks maintenance shop constructed in 1930 through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a Depression-era job training program. 

     The three-quarter acre site is filled with numerous specialty, interactive landscapes including a natural wetlands, gravity powered water works, farmers windmill, solar pumps, sculptures, world vegetable garden, prairie plantings, a “Secret Garden,” art/crafts plazas, historic sheep wagon, tipi village, picnic orchard, puppet theater and more. The center of the site features a geodesic “Village square” amphitheater with seats constructed of recycled concrete and a vertical axis wind generator. Children can play and interact with a wetlands/pond that naturally filters water.  Other sustainable lessons include composting, green roof, and many recycled materials.

     The design and construction of the Children’s Village was funded entirely through the non-profit foundation (Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens) raising approximately $2 million from donors and businesses.

 

* See photos of the opening * See Photos of the Fall Festival

* View editorial written about the opening of the Children's Village in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle
* View article written about the opening of the Children's Village in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle
* View video aired on News Channel 5 about the opening of the Children's Village