An interactive children’s garden at the East Lansing Public Library may start to become a reality this spring if funds allow.
Since mid-August, the library has undergone several minor projects, including the replacement of sidewalks, air-handling units, electrical panels and some trees.
Library Director Kristin Shelley, who came up with the idea for the children’s garden, said, “We need to see where our funds are after we complete our replacement.” Funds available after the construction will determine when the garden is built.
According to Shelley, some money for the garden will come from donations, but most will come from the annual Books, Bites, and Bids fundraiser. Shelley said “We have a big party at the library and invite people to eat and drink, and there is an auction.”
“Every year we pick a project to funnel our Books, Bites, and Bids funds,” said Shelley. For the past four or five years, that project has been the interactive children’s garden.
“We will start work on the interactive children’s garden spring of 2022,” said Shelley. “If we don’t have the funds it will be postponed.”
Plans for the garden include several attractions that encourage visitors to interact directly with the scenery.
“It will be a great space in front of the library for people of all ages, but especially children, to engage in plant life,” said Shelley.
Shelley said she hopes there will be a rain garden, which will water the garden’s plants.
Library Assistant Director Brice Bush said the garden will be in the space in front of the north section and will hopefully include wandering paths, native Michigan plants and a mural.
According to Bush, one interactive feature of the garden will be posted QR codes that can be scanned for information on the surroundings, specifically for information on the mural.
“We are excited for the redesign,” said Bush. “We’re sort of at the planning stages right now with the garden.”
According to Bush, there will be a more solid idea of what the garden will look like as spring gets closer.
It is not just the library staff that is excited about the garden. Parents and community members look forward to the addition as well.
East Lansing parent Alexandra Hidalgo said she would be interested in bringing her children to the interactive garden once it is completed.
The last update on the construction and the two-phase project was posted Oct. 20. Additional updates can be found at the East Lansing Public Library website under Faculty & Site Improvements.