On a crisp Saturday morning in autumn at Queeny Park, kids crouch low in the dirt, hands muddy and eyes wide, searching for potatoes beneath the soil. For many families, moments like these are why the Children’s Garden Club has become a cherished tradition for more than two decades.
The Children’s Garden Club isn’t just about plants—it’s about patience, care, and connection. For more than 25 years, the program has helped St. Louis area families grow all three. Founded in February 1999, the free, monthly program from St. Louis County Parks and Recreation brings families together to dig, plant, harvest, and learn.
Horticulture supervisor Sharon Hoyt leads the program, which has grown from a simple lily pond display created by Dave Sherwood and Doug Walter for families at the 1998 air show into a hands-on educational experience, complete with a working garden and take-home horticulture projects for kids…