This year, four bug friends are looking for a home at Rotary Botanical Gardens StoryWalk. The StoryWalk is based on the book A Good Place by Lucy Cousins which tells the story of a dragonfly, ladybug, bee, and beetle trying to find a home where they are safe and comfortable. Each bug is looking for something a little different in each place where they stop.
This year, the StoryWalk is located in the Children’s Garden for the first time. It is mostly miniatures instead of the larger displays we’ve seen in previous StoryWalks like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. As kids walk around the Children’s Garden, they will follow the bugs’ journey to find a suitable place to live.
My kids said this was their favorite StoryWalk to date! They loved the small bugs and thought the displays were really cute. It was also fun to have a few interactive pieces within the StortyWalk as well. My first grader practiced his reading skills by reading the pages as we walked along.
What To Know About the Rotary Botanical Gardens StoryWalk Before You Go
Address: 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI
Dates: The StoryWalk runs through the summer and into the fall
Hours: 9 am – 8 pm daily
Admission Rates: $9 per adult (13 and up), $5 per child (6-15 years old), kids under 6 are free
About the Rotary Botanical Gardens StoryWalk
Hedberg Public Library and Rotary Botanical Gardens partnered to create A Good Place Storywalk. This StoryWalk has several interactive sections including a foot that kicks can stomp and a car to ride in (toddler-sized). The StoryWalk is geared towards toddlers through pre-teens, but parents will enjoy it too!
This StoryWalk will be in place from June 21 – October 2023
Don’t forget to walk around the entire garden to see all of the decorated ladybugs on display too!
About Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, WI
Rotary Botanical Gardens spans 20 acres and includes 26 different garden styles and 4,000 varieties of plants. There are benches throughout the gardens and visitor center with bathrooms, water fountains, and air conditioning.
Included in the gardens are a children’s garden with sculptures overlooking Lions Beach, peaceful Japanese gardens, English Cottage gardens, French Formal gardens, Italian gardens, and more.
Walking through the gardens could be an all-day experience, but you need at least an hour to see everything they have to offer.
Some of our favorite areas in the gardens are the ornate red bridge that crosses the lagoon and the Japanese garden. My kids love to check out the koi pond near the Visitor’s Center as well. There are some very large koi living there!
Rotary Gardens offers events for children and families throughout the year for families. During the holiday season, they have an incredible light display.
