Discovery Project:
A New Concept for our Youngest Mariners’
A playground, and pollinators, and a garden–OH MY! Help The Mariners’ build a unique space that combines creative play with engaging programs and ignites the next generation of environmental stewards.
Our Journey to the Discovery Project
Lil’ Mariners Play Zone and the Bumblebee Learning Garden have been beloved community resources for years. As we look forward to improving the space to maximize value for children, caregivers, and educators, here’s a look at how the space has transformed over the years.
Phase 1:
Creating Bumblebee Garden and Lil’ Mariners’ Play Zone
In 2019, Dominion Energy provided a generous donation to The Mariners’ that funded the Bumblebee Learning Garden. The garden is a pollinator haven in Mariners’ Park that provides healthy habitats for local pollinators and teaches the community about the wonders of native, urban green spaces.
Dominion followed this gift with another in 2022, dedicating time, talent, and materials to build Lil’ Mariners’ Play Zone. This play area was designed as a fun and engaging outdoor experience for children ages 5 to 12. Built from sustainable resources in Mariners’ Park, the area included hopscotch, an “endless” tunnel, climbing frames, mazes, balance beams, swings, and other unique activities that encourage imaginative and interactive play.
Phase 2:
Introducing Early Childhood Education Programs
After listening to our community, the playground and garden have expanded beyond their original intent, to now serving early childhood partners through creative programming. In 2022, we launched our first early childhood programs in response to Peake Childhood Center (PCC) educators who approached us to fill the gap in local providers delivering enriching outdoor experiences for children ages 2-5.
Mariners’ Educators collaborated with PCC to develop curricula that address Early Learning and Development Standards to ensure Mariners’ programs support educational goals. The pilot program’s success resulted in PCC and other early childhood centers requesting additional enrichment opportunities for their students.
In 2024, The Mariners’ introduced Wonder Wednesdays, a weekly storytime held in the Bumblebee Learning Garden for children ages 2-4. The program ran from June through August and was a huge success, serving about 450 guests.
Phase 3:
Launching the Discovery Project
The Discovery Project will allow us to expand early childhood education programs and create a safe, welcoming space that provides equitable access for our community’s youngest learners to:
- engage with nature through play,
- participate in programs that support kindergarten readiness, and
- gain knowledge that prepares them to become the next generation of environmental stewards.
How will the Discovery Project transform this space?
The Discovery Project consists of two major components of physical renovations:
- Lil’ Mariners’ Play Zone: Due to the high volume usage of the naturally-sourced equipment by families, childcare centers, and school groups, it has begun to rapidly degrade and many pieces have become unsafe. Play Zone updates will include:
- replacing failing equipment with more durable, sustainable, ADA-compliant equipment;
- adding an accessible pathway to ensure equitable access; and
- resurfacing the play area with certified playground mulch.
- The Bumblebee Learning Garden: The garden will be transformed into our first designated early childhood education program location. Garden updates will include:
- eradicating invasive species and planting native species to improve the site’s environmental sustainability and increase native pollinator habitats; and
- installing custom outdoor classroom seating designed for early childhood students.
Do you want to be a part of this exciting new phase in our commitment to little mariners? Support the Discovery Project and help us build an educational oasis that children can enjoy for years to come!