A new activity has been added to the Mitchell Park in Guthrie Center. 

Guthrie County Arts Council has completed the installation of the “Botanical Garden” musical playground near the aquatic center in Mitchell Park. Board Member Ruth Owen says that this playground gives children and adults the opportunity to explore different tones and sounds with the garden like instruments. 

“And the botanical garden is a little more whimsical. There are stylized flowers and butterflies and mushrooms and lily pads, I guess they call them. And I think it’s a little more whimsical and a little bit better suited to the park.

Ownens explains this project took two years to complete due to the effects of the pandemic. She says they raised a little over $20,000 and thanked the Ten Squared Women and Brenda Wickland and Caring Hearts of Western Iowa for significant contributions.