Discovery Hive & Garden

Elawa Farm Foundation’s Discovery Hive and Garden is a pair of thoughtfully designed, ADA-accessible outdoor spaces that support inclusive, hands-on learning for visitors of all ages and abilities. Though separated by our long garden allée, both the Discovery Garden and the Discovery Hive share a common purpose: to foster connection with nature through play, exploration, and education. Each space offers its own unique features, while together they form a dynamic environment where curiosity can flourish.

Discovery Garden

Opened in the summer of 2023, the Discovery Garden serves as the original hub for accessible education and engagement at Elawa Farm. This space was created with intentional design elements—raised beds, vertical wall gardens, crushed gravel pathways, and a natural shade structure—to ensure that individuals of all ages and abilities can comfortably participate in gardening activities.

The Discovery Garden hosts weekly engagement days with community partners such as the Center for Enriched Living, along with adaptable programs for youth and adults. It’s a space that encourages exploration of edible and sensory plants, offering visitors an opportunity to connect with the land and each other in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Discovery Hive

Just across the allée from the Discovery Garden, the Discovery Hive opened in summer 2024 as an expansion of our inclusive programming and nature-based learning experiences. This vibrant space is designed to inspire play, imagination, and environmental curiosity through features like a playful Pizza Garden, a whimsical squash tunnel, and interactive sensory tables. Raised beds, vertical gardens, and clear educational signage make the space both accessible and enriching for self-guided exploration or group activities.

At the heart of the Hive is a hexagon-shaped amphitheater adorned with a stunning, bee-themed mural celebrating the world of pollinators. This mural was designed by our Assistant Farm Manager and artist, Georgia de Silva, and lovingly completed with the help of Elawa staff and volunteers—bringing a creative and collaborative spirit to the space.

Whether you're planting seeds during summer camp, engaging with sensory elements, or simply enjoying the beauty of the gardens, the Discovery Hive invites everyone to learn, grow, and connect with the natural world.