New "Secret Garden" opens at Wilmington daycare

A new outdoor classroom called the "Secret Garden" has been introduced at the Learning Center on Madison Street in Wilmington, Delaware. This space includes both a nature classroom and a pollinator garden. It is one of the first of its kind in the city, aimed at helping children learn and play in nature. The initiative is part of a larger project led by the Delaware Nature Society, which works on similar gardens across Delaware and nearby regions. The organization received funding from the federal Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund to develop these community spaces. The goal is to provide access to nature while also addressing the impacts of climate change. Vanetta Tull, the daycare’s director, believes the garden will enhance children's imaginations and provide them with new learning experiences. Children can play games and host tea parties in the garden. The project was inspired by Caren Turner, a community leader who passed away last November. She aimed to create healthier food options and pollinator gardens in food-insecure neighborhoods. Before the garden was planted, the playground at the Learning Center was unsafe and barely used. Turner’s son, Vash Turner, expressed his pride in seeing the project completed, honoring his mother’s vision. The gardens offer benefits beyond play and learning. They help lower urban temperatures and manage stormwater. Landscaper Kevin Winn predicts that the area will attract butterflies and other insects, creating an exciting environment for the children. Kerry Wilson from the Delaware Nature Society hopes to expand access to such green spaces in West Center City. She believes these experiences will foster a sense of environmental stewardship among children for the future.