April 2025 Positive Change Recipient – Ithaca Children’s Garden

A Note from GreenStar:  Ithaca Children’s Garden was selected by GreenStar members to be among our twelve 2025 Partners for Change.  Ithaca Children’s Garden is the April Round Upf for Positive Change recipient. Round Up your purchase at the Co-op to support their work!  Ithaca Children’s Garden is a Cooperators in the Community Partner, too! Volunteer with Ithaca Children’s Garden and earn a discount on your purchases at GreenStar. Learn more here.

Ithaca Children’s Garden

Nestled in the heart of Ithaca, New York, Ithaca Children’s Garden (ICG) is a three-acre oasis designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection with nature. Open year-round and free to the public, ICG invites visitors of all ages to explore, play, and discover the wonders of the natural world.

At ICG, children are free to climb, dig, build, and explore in a setting designed just for them. The Garden is home to Gaia, the iconic turtle sculpture, a sensory-rich kitchen garden, lush wetlands, and the imagination-fueled Hands-On-Nature-Anarchy Zone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a space where kids can get their hands dirty, ICG offers something for everyone.

Programs for Every Season

Beyond being a vibrant community space, ICG offers a variety of programs that engage children and families in meaningful outdoor experiences:

  • Preschool & After-School Programs: Through Playful Nature Explorers and After School @ ICG programs, kids develop a love for the outdoors while building essential life skills through play and discovery.
  • Field Trips & Workshops: Schools and community groups can enjoy guided explorations, interactive lessons, and hands-on learning experiences tailored to different age groups.
  • Summer & School-Break Camps: ICG’s Summer Camp and School’s Out Play Days offer children the chance to immerse themselves in nature, learning through unstructured play and outdoor adventure.
  • Community Events: Throughout the year, ICG hosts beloved events like the Scarecrow Jubilee, International Mud Day, the Festival of Fire and Ice, and other seasonal celebrations that bring families and friends together in the beauty of the garden.

A Garden for Everyone

ICG is more than just a play space — it’s a vital community resource. ICG’s commitment to inclusivity ensures that every child, regardless of background or ability, can experience the joys and benefits of nature and outdoor play. Through scholarship-supported programs and sensory-friendly experiences, we strive to make ICG a welcoming space for all.

As a nonprofit, ICG relies on community support to provide children with meaningful opportunities to connect with nature and foster the next generation of environmental stewards. We believe that every child has the fundamental right to play, learn, and grow outdoors while developing a lifelong relationship with the natural world.

Join us in making this vision a reality by supporting ICG’s mission: https://www.ithacachildrensgarden.org/support/

Want to stay connected? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates, upcoming events, and inspiring stories from the Garden. You can also join ICG’s email list to be the first to know about new programs, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support ICG’s mission.

Come explore, grow, and play with us at Ithaca Children’s Garden!

  • Garden Address: 121 Turtle Lane, Ithaca, NY 14850
  • Mailing Address: 1013 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850