PARIS, TN – “June in the Garden – Children’s Summer Activities” kicks off Monday, June 2 at the Historic Atkins-Porter Neighborhood Association Botanical Garden. Located at 311 Jackson Street, the garden is home to fun times for kiddos at 10:30 every Monday and Thursday morning in June. All programs are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
“We’re excited to celebrate the fifth year of ‘edu-tainment’ with our incredible partners at the W.G. Rhea Public Library and the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge,” according to Atkins-Porter Neighborhood Association President Rachel Terrell.
Mondays in the garden feature a well-loved, Paris icon, Youth Services Librarian Kayla Nation.
“We love coming to the botanical garden in June and reading under the pavilion with it’s swirling ceiling fans,” Nation said. “We’ve got so many exciting books to read, along with plenty of related, hands-on activities. Just bring a towel or a quilt to sit on along with some water, and you’ll be set for fun!”
“Backyard Wildlife” takes the spotlight on Thursday mornings with TNWR Ranger Samantha Marsh leading the adventures. “The garden and the tree-filled Atkins-Porter neighborhood are the perfect, outdoor classrooms for exciting discoveries in nature,” said Marsh. “We’ll get to play games, pull out the microscopes, go on a little hike, learn about trees, birds, butterflies, insects and so much more.”
Terrell said that she hopes these events encourage parents to bring their children to the botanical garden, as well as the W.G. Rhea Public Library in Downtown Paris and the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center just a few miles east of town. Both of these treasures offer tremendous programming for children.
For more information visit HAPNA of Atkins-Porter on Facebook, HAPNA.org online or text 731-693-2696.
Photo: Children’s Librarian Kayla Nation reads to a group of children at the 2024 Summer Reading program at the AP garden. Shannon McFarlin photo.