Phipps Conservatory’s Discovery Garden Day Celebrates New Discoveries

For Immediate Release: Thurs., May 23

Contact: Julie LaBar | Director of Marketing and Communications
412/638-6008 ǀ jlabar@phipps.conservatory.org

Phipps Conservatory’s Discovery Garden Day Celebrates New Discoveries
This Saturday provides big fun for little ones at Discovery Garden summer celebration, including Bog Garden debut.

Pittsburgh, PA — On Sat., May 25, families are invited to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for Discovery Garden Day, a special day of fun marking the summer opening of Discovery Garden, the treasured outdoor sensory garden that delights children and adults alike. Kids will enjoy a day of interactive activities throughout Discovery Garden, exploring the beauty and wonder of nature as they play.  All activities are free with Conservatory admission. 

Discovery Garden Day celebration activities include a wildflower seed ball craft, Bog Garden scavenger hunt, face painting and pot-a-plant activity to take home from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Additionally, kids will enjoy readings by local children’s book authors and garden sing-a-longs at noon and 2 p.m. To view a full list of Discovery Garden Day activities, visit phipps.conservatory.org.

Phipps’ Discovery Garden provides kids with a variety of fun nature play garden areas, interactive water fountains, a giant tree stump for climbing, welcoming playhouse, percussion instruments, Insect Inn hotel to spot beneficial bugs and more.  This dynamic outdoor space provides ample hands-on fun to discover, learn and play, open for guests to explore this Saturday and all summer long.

Don’t miss Phipps’ new Bog Garden for additional exciting natural discoveries! Bogs are unique wetland ecosystems which are home to plants you won’t find anywhere else. Phipps’ newly renovated area located in Discovery Garden includes many different species of carnivorous pitcher plants (Sarracenia spp.), orchids native to Pennsylvania and other cool and wild plants found in these types of environments.

During their visit, children will also spark their imaginations with Van Gogh in Bloom’s activity booklet filled with interactive Summer Flower Show activities throughout the Conservatory, be surrounded by fluttering butterflies in Butterfly Forest, go shopping in the Gallery Room play market and be inspired at kid-friendly Discovery Stations, all included with admission.  

Hours are 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and until 10 p.m. on Fridays, open throughout the Memorial Day holiday.  Admission is $17.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors and students and $11.95 for children (2 – 18). Members and kids under 2 enter free.  

###

About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse, 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens and industry-leading sustainable architecture and operations, Phipps attracts nearly half a million visitors annually from around the world. Learn more at  phipps.conservatory.org.

Photos © Annie O'Neill, Paul g. Wiegman