Opened a one-of-a-kind family garden

Children have less access to outdoor play and exploration than they once did, especially in a rapidly urbanizing world. To counter that, the Wildflower Center expanded in 2014 with the opening of the Luci and Ian Family Garden.

Kids now nurture their wild side jumping between tree stumps, imagining new worlds from inside giant bird nests and more. This 100 percent native plant garden offers insights into eco-friendly ways to create landscapes, such as using recycled mulches and sunken gardens to capture rainwater.

The kudos have started rolling in for the innovative space: a 2-star rating from the Sustainable Sites Initiative; the Garden Excellence Award from Horticulture Magazine; and a spot on a local “Top 10 Places to Take Your Kids in Austin” list.