18 Aug Powell Gardens Receives $1,000 Grant from the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation

Powell Gardens was recently awarded a $1,000 grant from the Ash Grove Charitable Foundation to launch Fun and Games: Come Play in the Gardens.  This summer exhibition will feature kid-friendly areas for climbing, digging, swinging, and playing make-believe. The highlight of this summer exhibition will be four new nature-themed play areas throughout the Gardens that spotlight pollinators and woodland creatures and their habitats.

Fun and Games: Come Play in the Gardens will promote outdoor play with several family-centric events and activities to encourage children and their parents to run, climb, dig, and use their imaginations in the Gardens, reinforcing the importance of plants and nature in their everyday lives.

With the rise of urban living, many of today’s children do not have a close connection to the outdoors, with Americans spending more than 90% of their time indoors. Furthermore, children aged eight to 18 experience an average of approximately eight hours of screen time each day, which is four times the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation of no more than two hours per day. As a result, more children are leading sedentary lifestyles, which is linked to childhood obesity. One-third of American children and teens are overweight or obese, and many will become overweight or obese adults who will be at risk for a host of resulting health issues.

Powell Gardens is a Kansas City treasure with 970 acres of natural beauty less than an hour from downtown.  Powell Gardens is a destination for plant lovers and art aficionados alike. Several permanent and rotating art exhibits are carefully curated to accentuate the Gardens’ natural beauty.  Powell Gardens aims to provide meaningful experiences in nature through educational programming and special events.  Powell Gardens is a safe, tranquil place for children and their families to learn and play outdoors. It is a retreat from urban life and an integral part of the Kansas City experience.