Wildhorse Park
Children of the Sun Trail runs right next to Wildhorse Park, a family-friendly recreation space in Hillyard. An unused corner where the trail meets a large grassy area is the site for the future Discovery Garden.
A collaboration between Spokane Parks and Recreation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians, the Discovery Garden honors the significance of native plants in the Inland Northwest. Featured vegetation will be a living monument to the rich botanical and cultural heritage of the Spokane Tribe and other Indigenous peoples of the region.
Garden Plan and Design
The Discovery Garden is currently in the planning and design phase. The master plan for Wildhorse Park includes space for the 65-foot by 177-foot garden in the northeast corner.
Unlike a well-tended European garden, the Discovery Garden will showcase plants in their native state. While you might find many in bloom at a given time, others may be dormant or producing seeds. Visitors will be encouraged to wander the garden and touch the plants, while leaving them in place for others to enjoy.
Photo Gallery
The Discovery Garden may include features inspired by those in the photos below.
Additional Resources
Visit these websites to learn about other ethnobotanical gardens.
Lackschewitz – Preece Montana Native Botanic Garden
Sacred Seeds Ethnobotanical Trail
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Over thousands of years of interacting with their environment, Indigenous people have gained deep insight and knowledge about the natural world.
Ethnobotany
Humans have been using plants since time immemorial, for everything from food to medicine to religious ceremonies.