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Ruthie Abel

Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

The Lena Meijer Children’s Garden is one of the largest interactive children’s gardens in the country– a fun slice of the 125-acre Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Marshall Fredericks' bronze

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Marshall Fredericks’ bronze “Frog” (1970).

Lead horticulturist Ian Warnock prunes a path to the Storytelling Gardens.

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Lead horticulturist Ian Warnock prunes a path to the Storytelling Gardens.

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

A performance hut hosts puppet shows during summer months in the Story Telling Garden.

Exploring Treehouse Village

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

A father and daughter explore Treehouse Village.

No stopping the rabbits in this cabbage patch.

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

No stopping the rabbits in this cabbage patch!

Stuart Padnos'

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Stuart Padnos’ “Multi-Colored Rings,” made of painted recycled metal.

Visitors face

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Visitors face “Mad Mom” by Tom Otterness as they leave the sculpture garden.

Navigating the Great Lakes in the Children's Garden.

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Navigating the Great Lakes in the Children’s Garden.

Grandpa, The Storyteller, by Victor Issa

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

“Grandpa, The Storyteller” by Victor Issa.

Treehouse Village

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

An entry point to Treehouse Village.

Tree trunks are labeled by type at child-eye height.

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Tree trunks are labeled by type at child-eye height.

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Splish, Splash, Smell, Tell in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Children cool off and sail boats in a replica of the Great Lakes, with the Tropical Conservatory in the background (on the right).