{"id":21632,"date":"2024-04-26T11:11:38","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T15:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marinersmuseum.org\/?page_id=21632"},"modified":"2025-07-03T12:30:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T16:30:15","slug":"discovery-garden","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marinersmuseum.org\/discovery-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovery Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\n

Discovery Project: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A New Concept for our Youngest Mariners\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A playground, and pollinators, and a garden\u2013OH MY! Help The Mariners\u2019 build a unique space that combines creative play with engaging programs and ignites the next generation of environmental stewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donate Today<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"children\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our Journey to the Discovery Project <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lil\u2019 Mariners Play Zone and the Bumblebee Learning Garden have been beloved community resources for years. As we look forward to improving the space to maximize value for children, caregivers, and educators, here\u2019s a look at how the space has transformed over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Phase 1: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creating Bumblebee Garden and Lil\u2019 Mariners\u2019 Play Zone<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 2019, Dominion Energy provided a generous donation to The Mariners\u2019 that funded the Bumblebee Learning Garden<\/a>. The garden is a pollinator haven in Mariners\u2019 Park that provides healthy habitats for local pollinators and teaches the community about the wonders of native, urban green spaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dominion followed this gift with another in 2022, dedicating time, talent, and materials to build Lil\u2019 Mariners\u2019 Play Zone<\/a>. This play area was designed as a fun and engaging outdoor experience for children ages 5 to 12. Built from sustainable resources in Mariners\u2019 Park, the area included hopscotch, an \u201cendless\u201d tunnel, climbing frames, mazes, balance beams, swings, and other unique activities that encourage imaginative and interactive play.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Location for an Outdoor Classroom.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Phase 2: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Introducing Early Childhood Education Programs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After listening to our community, the playground and garden have expanded beyond their original intent, to now serving early childhood partners through creative programming. In 2022, we launched our first early childhood programs in response to Peake Childhood Center (PCC) educators who approached us to fill the gap in local providers delivering enriching outdoor experiences for children ages 2-5. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mariners\u2019 Educators collaborated with PCC to develop curricula that address Early Learning and Development Standards to ensure Mariners\u2019 programs support educational goals. The pilot program\u2019s success resulted in PCC and other early childhood centers requesting additional enrichment opportunities for their students.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Conceptual idea of upgrades to The Lil\u2019 Mariners\u2019 Play Zone.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, The Mariners\u2019 introduced Wonder Wednesdays, a weekly storytime held in the Bumblebee Learning Garden for children ages 2-4. The program ran from June through August and was a huge success, serving about 450 guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 3: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Launching the Discovery Project<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Discovery Project will allow us to expand early childhood education programs and create a safe, welcoming space that provides equitable access for our community’s youngest learners to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n