July 2026
The Story Garden in Binghamton, New York, is an interactive outdoor playscape and learning area, providing non-stop fun for a wide range of ages. Unlike most playgrounds, the Story Garden provides an interesting way for children to exercise their creative minds, as well as their bodies.
The Story Garden was opened in June 2007 by the Junior League of Binghamton as an Outside Exhibit Space of the Discovery Center, an interactive children’s museum in Ross Park.
The 13 outdoor settings and 5 house–like structures provide children with an assortment of places to climb, explore, learn, and discover. Children can freely explore the 2-acre Story Garden, with over 20 interactive exhibits that help to promote both children’s literacy and a love of classic children’s literature, while appreciating active play in the great outdoors.
The pathway throughout the garden brings you through landscaped areas where children can relax with one of the 45 laminated books at different reading levels which can be found at different sections in the garden. They are grouped together by themes and connected to activities in the garden.
In Peter Rabbit’s Garden, an actual vegetable garden allows children learn about growing their own vegetables at home. Kids can play miniature golf course, climb on a rock climbing wall, act out plays on a small stage or play in a castle structure, where children can let their imaginations run wild, or just sit read a book on one of the benches, picnic tables or inside the miniature houses, one of which has a living roof covered with growing grass and plants.
The Discovery Center also offers preschool/afterschool programs and Summer Camps featuring play-based engagement, creative exploration, integrated arts and STEAM learning opportunities.
https://visitbinghamton.org/listings/ross-park-carousel, https://uncoveringnewyork.com/discovery-center-of-the-southern-tier/ https://www.wbng.com/2025/04/17/ross-park-zoo-aims-return-its-historic-carousel/, http://www.monkeys-and-mayhem.com/monkey-talestrade-blog/field-tripross-park, Second life for The Story Garden – 1901.
