Botantical Playground For Kids Coming To Hortulus Farm In Bucks

WRIGHTSTOWN, PA — Visitors who stop by Hortulus Farm, Garden and Nursery this weekend for its Spring Grand Reopening will get a sneak peek at the farm's coming attraction.

Construction is underway on a world class botanical playground for kids, which is expected to open sometime this summer at the farm located on Thompson Mill Road.

The half acre playground located directly behind the garden center, will display the artistically curated gardens that Hortulus has long been known for while also providing a safe place for children to play, explore, and let their imaginations grow.

"It's going to be a pretty neat way for kids to engage with nature in a very low stress, high creativity, high engagement environment. It will also be very sensory-inclusive offering kids of all levels of development a chance to enjoy the space and interact," said owner Jon Kontz.

The playground will feature an amphitheater, where kids can hop up on a stage and perform impromptu shows; a tunnel made out of willow branches; playhouses; a sand box; a wildlfower meadow, along with some other special surprises that the Kontz Family will be announcing at a later date.

The future Hortulus Playground. (photo by Jeff Werner)

In addition to offering a sneak peek at the future, the weekend event will feature a Spring Handmade Market spotlighting 30 high end craft and artisan vendors with pottery, different kinds of apothecaries, botanical dyes, fabric and more.

"It's very highly curated. The idea is to allow our customers to experience a real depth of inventory of crafts and artisans, meet the people behind the products and develop a relational connection that they can continue to last the year."

New this year will be a satellite location of Liza Miller offering an incredible assortment of imported European antique furniture and home accessories, which will help Hortulus clientele

create unique, beautiful environments of their own.

Additionally, Amsterdam Coffee of Lahaska is taking up residence at the new Hortulus Cafe, offering guests exquisite coffee, treats and craft cocktails featuring Hortulus-grown botanicals and more in the Garden Cafe.

Jon describes Hortulus as a "destination farm, garden and nursery where we grow plants, we sell plants and it's a real farm experience. You can interact with the sheep. They can look at the plants and be inspired or purchase.

"The Hortulus mission is to see the beauty in nature and in each other," added Jon. "People move to Bucks County for the farm experience. There are fewer and fewer places like this where you can just come here and hang out," he said. "This place is for the community."

Looking ahead, here are some noteworthy dates to mark on the calendar: Mother’s Day at Hortulus, Peony Peak-Bloom Weekend (May 20 and 21) and the Hortulus Handmade Summer Market and first ever Hortulus Family Festival (June 24 and 25).

FAST FACTS:

• Opening and Market Dates: April 1 and 2
• Time: 10 am. to 4 p.m.
• Admission: Free
• Location: 60 Thompson Mill Road, Wrightstown 18940
• Activities: Shopping, Dining, Live Music, Children’s Activities
• Phone: 215-598-0550