On April 28th, twelve third grade students from P.S. 159 in the Bronx attended the Arbor Day Celebration at The Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, NY. The beautiful grounds of the former Coe Estate was a perfect backdrop to a kid-friendly celebration of trees.

Upon arriving at the Arboretum, we discussed viewed the activities and exhibits that we had choose to participate in. First up was the petting zoo. The kids got up close and personal with goats, sheep, chickens and bunnies. For most of the kids, it was their first time touching and interacting with any farm animal. The kids learned about each animal from the attendants and got the opportunity to feed the goats and sheep.

Next up was the Audubon Society exhibit, where the kids learned about owls and got to meet one up close. We were grateful to the knowledgeable staff that spent a lot of time answering all our questions about owls. After that we headed out for some fun at the arts & crafts and face painting stations. The kids make sun visors, lady bugs & bees, and key chains to take home to their parents.

On our way to lunch, we toured the lush, beautiful greenhouses, learning about many plants that we had not seen before. We had a fun lunch while watching a circus show where one of our kids got to participate on the stage, much to the enjoyment of our entire group.

After lunch, we got a private tour of the Coe Estate and learned a little about what life was like there before it became a park. We then moved on to tour the gardens and play in the open fields.

Before leaving we got some seedlings for the kids to plant in the classrooms and then planted mini gardens that the kids took home with them. We wrapped up the trip with a little more play time, as the band “Peat Moss & the Fertilizers” played in the background.

We sadly said goodbye to the Arboretum and headed back to the city with 12 kids, 12 plants, and 2 seedlings.