Margie's Garden
Margie’s Garden, the core mission of Margie’s Smile, Inc., is a whimsical, all-accessible, interactive children’s garden space located within Boerner Botanical Gardens at Whitnall Park in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Hours of Operation & Admission
May through August: 8am - 7pm*
September and October: 8am - 4pm
November through April: Closed for the season
*Margie's Garden will close at 4pm on concert nights and for select special events.
Margie's Garden is an extension of the Boerner Botanical Gardens experience. Admittance is included in the cost of general admission. There is no additional fee to enter the children's garden space. Fees are managed, collected by, and support the Milwaukee County Parks.
For more information on admission fees, please visit:
Engage With the Beauty of Nature on a Whole New Level
Pass through the gate and explore a garden unlike any other. Wander its winding paths surrounded by larger-than-life flowers and garden creatures. Sit in the bird's nest and play in the enchanted village. Sing the ABCs in the alphabet garden and seek out your favorite number in the numbers garden. Take a ride down the slides and play the sound makers in the pollinator garden.
Discover these magical moments and more with your family and friends!
To see what's blooming in Margie's Garden click here.
For more information on visiting Margie's Garden
Please Visit Boerner Botanical Gardens
9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners, WI 53130
(414) 525-5600
Ways To Support
Margie’s Smile, Inc., a nonprofit and supporting organization of Milwaukee County, is proud to present Margie’s Garden to the community in honor and remembrance of Margaret Kezman. Margie’s Smile, Inc. is the sole entity responsible for maintaining Margie’s Garden. No funding from Milwaukee County Parks, including any portion of the Boerner Botanical Gardens admission, goes towards this significant annual expense. Your support is essential and 100% of your donation will be used for funding the annual maintenance expense of Margie's Garden. Support from people like you ensures that Margie's Garden can be maintained and preserved in a manner that would make Margie "smile" for generations to come. For more information on ways to contribute, please contact Margie's Smile, Inc. at donate@margiessmile.org or fill out the "Contact Us" form below. Thank you in advance for your support! Margie’s Smile, Inc. is exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Further, Margie’s Smile, Inc. is a 509(a)(3) supporting organization to Milwaukee County, WI. Donors can deduct contributions they make to Margie’s Smile, Inc. under Internal Revenue Code Section 170. EIN: 85-3514421
About Us
Inspired by the life of Margaret “Margie” Kezman, the mission of Margie’s Smile, Inc. is to build and maintain a garden where children and their families can come to learn, play, and engage with the beauty of nature. The organization is also driven to create an environment which fosters the same selfless love, kindness, and compassion towards people and the natural world that Margie shared with all who knew her. Margie’s Smile, Inc. aspires to ignite her passion for life within the hearts of all who pass through the garden’s gate and wander its winding paths.
Margie’s Smile, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and 509(a)(3) supporting organization to Milwaukee County. All donations received are used to fund the annual maintenance of Margie's Garden.
Who is Margie?
Margaret “Margie” Kezman's primary passions in life were family, her children, and gardening. Whether her own family and children, or those of friends or acquaintances, they always came first. In her spare time, Margie loved keeping her garden spaces pristine. Just as she cared for her family, she loved putting her heart and soul into growing and nurturing the plants within her garden.
Margie always put others before herself and saw the good in everything and everyone. Margie believed that in life, people should dig in the dirt, work, and experience life's lessons with their whole being and heart. Early in 2017, Margie was diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Despite her triple negative diagnosis, Margie was optimistic and determined to remain quadruple positive. She faced the disease and its treatments with courage and class, always continuing to see the beauty in people and in the world around her. Sadly, after courageously fighting with her entire mind and body, Margie passed away in 2019.
Forever inspired by how she lived her life, how she cared for others, and how she enjoyed her gardens, Margie's family now honors her memory by giving back to the community in a way that they think would make her SMILE!
Driven by Margie's passions, in 2021 the Kezman family organized Margie's Smile, Inc. to work wholeheartedly with Milwaukee County to establish and maintain a place for children and their families to play, learn, and experience nature. Margie's Garden is a place where, even for a short time, families and children can leave the television and devices alone, get outside, and "dig in the dirt."
Contact Us
