• What is the Ithaca Children's Garden?
• Mission and Objectives
• Advisors
• Board of Directors and Staff
• Frequently Asked Questions

About Us

What is the Ithaca Children's Garden

The Ithaca Children's Garden (ICG) is both a place and a program. Based in Ithaca, NY, the ICG is building a three-acre public children's garden in Cass Park. In addition to growing the site, the ICG develops, implements, and evaluates a wide range of education programs for children, teens, and the community.

Founded in 1997, the Ithaca Children's garden is an incorporated 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County

Mission & Objectives

The mission of the Ithaca Children's Garden is to create a unique and joyful garden environment designed to inspire, empower, and connect children and youth with the importance of plants and the natural world in their lives.

The Ithaca Children's Garden

Promotes an understanding of plants and the role they play in our daily lives...
Nurtures the wonder of a child's imagination...
Creates a community attraction that enriches the lives of residents with intergenerational programs and activities...
Provides a place of enrichment and delight for children of all ages...
Teaches horticulture skills and encourages artistic expression.

Vision

The Ithaca Children's Garden is an innovative grassroots effort to create exciting, interactive garden-based experiences with children of all ages. Garden programs are intergenerational and open to all. The Garden itself will be a beautiful place where local residents and visitors will explore the many ways in which plants enhance our lives. This unique garden will create a living venue for experiential learning, blending disciplines such as horticulture, art, literature, music, life skills, and science. Its diverse uses will include tours, workshops and special events, and it will foster an appreciation of the natural world, relaxation, reflection, and the wonder of discovery. Children, volunteers, mentors and youth apprentices will participate in garden development, maintenance, and ongoing educational programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Ithaca Children's Garden get started?
Where is the Garden located?
Where is your office located?
How is the Ithaca Children's Garden funded?
What is the Ithaca Children's Garden's relationship with Cooperative Extension?
What is the Garden's relationship to the Waterfront Trail?
How do I get involved in volunteering at the Garden?
How can I make a donation to support the Garden?
How do I join an advisory committee or become a board member?
How often do you hold education programs?
Where can I look to find programs advertised to the community?
How can my child get involved with Garden programs?
How do teens find out more information and apply for the Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program?
How do I contact you if I have questions about the Ithaca Children's Garden?

How did the Ithaca Children's Garden get started?
The ICG was first organized in 1997 by Harriet Becker, Mary Alyce Kobler, and Monika Roth. They heard Jane Taylor of the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden speak and thought "why not in Ithaca!" In 1999 the ICG was able to secure funding to hire a part time director and education program assistant. From there the program, staff, volunteers, and plans for the Garden have only grown.

Where is the Garden located?
The Garden is located on Rte. 89 (Taughannock Blvd) at the southern end of Cass Park in Ithaca, NY.

Where is your office located?
ICG staff are based at the Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Ave. Ithaca, NY

How is the Ithaca Children's Garden funded?
The Ithaca Children's Garden is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization. All our funding is generated through grants and donations.
Although the City of Ithaca has generously granted a 25 year renewable lease for the Garden site at Cass Park, we do not receive any City funds.
The ICG contracts with Cornell Cooperative Extension for office space and services in exchange for a fee but does not receive any general funding from Cornell or Cooperative Extension.
If you'd like to support the Ithaca Children's Garden, visit the Ways of Giving and Volunteer pages to learn more about how can help the Garden grow.

What is the Ithaca Children's Garden's relationship with Cooperative Extension?
The ICG is a program in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County. Cooperative Extension provides office space and services such as bookkeeping in exchange for a fee. This wonderful partnership has been instrumental in helping ICG as a small, grassroots nonprofit grow from an idea to a developing Garden with a wide range of programs.

What is the Garden's relationship to the Waterfront Trail?
The Waterfront Trail is a great community resource with a portion of the Trail running parallel to the Ithaca Children's Garden in Cass Park. We are separate organizations with separate leadership and funding sources but great neighbors who enjoy collaborating. Learn more about the Waterfront Trail on their website.

How do I get involved in volunteering at the Garden?
Volunteers are the what keeps the Garden growing and there are many different was to get involved. Visit the Volunteer page for information, including the volunteer application form. Check out our Volunteer 2008 Flyer for a summary of opportunities available this spring and summer. There are opportunities for individuals and for groups and we always welcome youth volunteers.

How can I make a donation to support the Garden?
Hop on over to the Ways of Giving page where you'll find a printable donation form. We accept donations via check or credit card. Simply print the form and mail in your donation. There are many other ways to support the Garden as well. Consider a honorary or memorial donation. Purchases of t-shirts, note cards, and limited edition prints support Garden programs and site development. In-kind donations of supplies and professional services are also welcome. If you have a question about making a donation, please give us a call at 607-272-2292 ext. 122.

How do I join an advisory committee or become a board member?
Visit the Volunteer page for information on joining ICG's advisory committees (Education & Outreach, Development & Fundraising, Marketing, and Garden Site Development) and community event planning committees. If you're interested in becoming a board member, please contact Bill Scoones, ICG's board president at 607-272-2292 ext 122 or wscoones@ithaca.edu.

How often do you hold education programs?
The ICG holds education programs throughout the year with the majority occurring between April and October. During June, July, and August, programs run nearly every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at the Garden. Some of these programs are free, drop-in programs, others require registration.
During the spring and fall, programs taking place at the Garden, schools, and in the community work primarily with pre-registered groups. The Garden hosts three community events each year: Turtle Hatchday Celebration (late July/early August) and the Pumpkin Jam and Scarecrow Jubilee (October). Check out the Programs & Events page for more information on ICG programs. If you have questions about programs or how to get involved feel free to call at 607-272-2292 ext. 122 or email ithacachildrensgarden@cornell.edu.

Where can I look to find programs advertised to the community?
You can always check out this website for information, especially on the Programs & Events page. The Ithaca Children's Garden also sends an e-newsletter monthly with information on upcoming programs, events, and volunteer opportunities. To subscribe send your name and email address to ithacachildrensgarden@cornell.edu.
In addition, the ICG sends calendar of events information and press releases to the following newspapers: Ithaca Journal, Ithaca Times, Tompkins Weekly, Ithaca Child, Cortland Standard, Fingerlakes Community News, the Pennysaver as well as the Human Services Coalition listserv. Look for our public event listings on IthacaEvents.com. In the summer keep an eye out for our program brochures at places families tend to visit like public libraries. If you are down at the Garden check out the display board and brochure racks for information about upcoming programs.

How can my child get involved with Garden programs?
Check out the Programs & Events page to see what's in store in the weeks and months ahead. Many summer programs such as Summer Sprouts and Turtle Time are drop in programs: free programs with no need to register. Some programs like our Family Fun Workshops require registration, so call ahead to reserve a spot. If you ever have questions about joining us for a program give a call to 272-2292 ext. 122 or send an email to ithacachildrensgarden@cornell.edu.

How do teens find out more information and apply for the Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program?
The Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program (YHAP) is youth development and workforce preparation program for teens ages 14-19 living in Tompkins County, NY. The paid summer job program runs for six weeks in July and August. Learn more about the program on the YHAP page. Youth can apply for YHAP through Youth Employment Services at the Ithaca Youth Bureau or by contacting the Ithaca Children's Garden at 272-2292 ext 122 or ithacachildrensgarden@cornell.edu. Information and applications for the 2008 program will be available in May.

How do I contact you if I have questions about the Ithaca Children's Garden?
Give our office a call at (607) 272-2292 ext.122 or send an email to: ithacachildrensgarden@cornell.edu.

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615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850-3555. 607 272 2282, fax: 607 272 7088