30 Years of Building Together at Frederik Meijer Gardens
Some partnerships are measured in projects. Ours with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is measured in decades. Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. helped build Frederik Meijer Gardens when it first opened in 1995, and 30 years later, we are still building alongside them. Our latest chapter together is the refresh of the Lena Meijer Children's Garden, a space that has invited curiosity and imaginative play since it first opened in 2004.
"Our history with Frederik Meijer Gardens actually goes back 30 years to when it opened in 1995," said Jeremy Amshey, Chief Operating Officer at O-A-K. "That's something that we're very proud of."
Here is a look at what the project has accomplished so far, and what is still to come.
A Garden Reimagined
After more than 20 years of welcoming children and families, the Children's Garden was ready for new purpose and new energy. The goal was to refresh the space while bringing new and exciting experiences to the garden, and Phase One delivered exactly that.
The centerpiece is Big Girl, a 20-foot-tall interactive bronze sculpture by celebrated artist Tom Otterness. With two slides and room to climb, the piece invites children to make art hands-on and playful. Big Girl also joins a familiar face at the garden. Longtime visitors will recognize Otterness' Mad Mom sculpture nearby, and the artist positioned his new work so that Big Girl now stands in the line of Mad Mom's watchful gaze. The sculpture sits on a soft, synthetic turf that keeps safety front and center.
"If kids fall off here, we want to have a safe, comfortable landing zone," said Dave Fleece, Project Manager at O-A-K.
Indoors, Phase One transformed former back-of-house space into Mary's Ice Cream Parlor, a year-round spot serving Hudsonville ice cream, a dairy-free option, baked goods, and more, with patio seating that looks out onto the pond and the Big Girl sculpture. The addition has proven wildly popular with visitors. "The community's really embraced it," said Pete Crawford, Vice President of Capital Development and Government Affairs at Frederik Meijer Gardens. "So we're excited to have it as a fixture here with the Children's Garden."
Throughout the work, most of the garden stayed open, allowing families to keep visiting while the improvements took shape around them. That kind of coordination, keeping a beloved public space running while construction continues, is at the heart of how we approach every project.
What Comes Next
The project was originally planned in three phases, but the team made the decision to complete the final two phases in a single construction season. The remaining scope is less about newly reimagined spaces and more about refresh, maintenance, and upkeep, the work that keeps a garden thriving for the next generation of visitors. That work includes enhancements to beloved areas like the Treehouse Village, the Rock Quarry, and the Log Cabin.
Built to Last
For 30 years, we have been proud to help Frederik Meijer Gardens create spaces that bring people together. From the day the gates first opened in 1995 to the newest additions in the Lena Meijer Children's Garden, this is a partnership rooted in shared purpose and a shared community. We look forward to what we will build together next.
Video Credit Taproot Pictures
Photo Credit Ashley Avila
