BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS INTRODUCES “PLAYSPACE”
On March 26 the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens opened Playspace. Playspace is an interactive exhibit where kids and families can learn about the important connections between people, plants, and pollinators.
Playspace features interactive and educational signage, imaginative play stations, hands-on activities, busy boards, and other fun ways to get curious about the world we live in. Activities such as “Flip and Find” and “Count the Critters” allow kids to move oversized “pollen” between flowers, create their own blooms with fun shapes, and stack honeycomb blocks. By becoming the pollinator, kids learn about pollination and how bees live and produce honey. The exhibit also features “Honey Hut” market, where kids can pretend to buy and sell honey and other bee products and see how important pollinators are to humans.
However, Playspace is far from all that’s in store for Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Many more changes to the conservatory and campus are expected as part of its expansion and renovation project. One addition that was recently announced is the Butterfly Experience, another part of the larger thematic initiative to emphasize the importance of pollinators.
Parents and children alike can enjoy the wonders of the flora from around the world found at the Botanical Gardens thanks to the addition of attractions like Playspace. The exhibit features tables and seating for activities, as well as stroller and wagon parking. The exhibit is open from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. during Botanical Gardens operation days. Admission is included with a Botanical Gardens ticket. buffalogardens.com/thingsto-do/playspace
CELEBRATE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE WITH KIRBY’S FARM MARKET
“When the sun comes back to Western New York, we need to celebrate! The Summer Solstice marks the start of the summer harvest season, when so many different homegrown fruits and vegetables will be available in our area – it’s a great time to get together!” says Stacey Kirby, of Kirby’s Farm Market. And celebrate is exactly what Kirby’s will do to welcome the start of summer. On Saturday, June 1 from 1 to 4 p.m., Kirby’s Farm Market will be holding its Summer Solstice Celebration. This will include a field walk at 1 p.m., an “All About Pollinators” presentation with Monroe County’s Master Gardeners at 2 p.m., the planting of Kirby’s Community Garden at 2:30 p.m., and a cyanotype prints demonstration at 3 p.m.
Kirby says that the event is particularly important because it emphasizes the roles that pollinators play. “People understand how important pollinators are, but many people don’t know what they can do at home to help. This is a chance to learn simple things we can do to support these tiny but essential parts of our world. Plus, it’s always great to have a reason to get outside!” For more info visit kirbysfm.com.
CAMP HACCAMO NEEDS GREEN THUMBS
Camp Haccamo has been providing fun and community for youth and adults with disabilities since its opening in 1956. With a campus equipped with a fully accessible climbing wall, pool, fishing pond, splash park, nature center and more, Camp Haccamo strips away barriers individuals may experience at other summer camp programs. But even more than that, Haccamo is a place filled with joy and acceptance. The camp’s board chair Neal Gorman says, “My favorite aspect of volunteering with Camp Haccamo is the real-life tangible impact we have. It’s about continuing the legacy of the founders who, sixty-nine years ago, sought to bring joy and make a difference. We are still doing that today. Being part of a team that creates such positive experiences is incredibly rewarding. I love being able to contribute to that.”
The campgrounds have needed maintenance and revamping for some time now. Camp director Dolly Kujawa says, “A beautiful and well-maintained landscape is a benefit to everyone viewing the landscape. The Haccamo Gardens are located inside the railroad tracks of the Haccamo train. It has been challenging to keep up with the maintenance of the gardens, but it is important to have them maintained so the campers, camping staff, and visitors to the camp can enjoy them and appreciate them as they ride around on the train.”
The campus has a dedicated maintenance crew that works diligently to keep the grounds clean and in prime working condition for all the camps that run throughout the year. However, Haccamo staff needs more help to be able to continue to do the amazing work they do. Camp coordinator Logan Everhart suggests, “I think a new improvement would be a legit flower bed. There are flower beds at camp but only at the entrance when campers get dropped off. If campers were able to see more flowers and different plants in designated areas it may encourage them to want to pursue that field outside of camp.”
If you are interested in helping Camp Haccamo with revamping the gardens, visit camphaccamo.org.
Hannah Frazier is a communications and media studies major with a minor in English at Nazareth University.
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Upstate Gardeners’ Journal.
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