Marylou Barton wants to teach children to care about their community.

All of it.

"All community members ... including bugs and native plants," Barton said as she strolled along the north side of the Manheim Township Public Library with 3-year-old grandson Gabriel Sheaffer

It is there that the new Discovery Meadow will officially open Saturday, Sept. 10, at 595 Granite Drive. The festivities will kick off at 11:30 a.m. and will include a singalong, ribbon cutting and seed planting for all children in attendance.

Barton and Lydia Martin are both Master Gardeners and members of HabitatMT, a Manheim Township community group dedicated to reintroducing native plant species to public spaces. Both were integral to the planning and design of the Discovery Meadow.

Because the plants, shrubs and trees were planted only two weeks ago, the meadow's current appearance is relatively sparse. But as a visitor walks through the garden and sees it through the eyes of Barton and Martin, their vision becomes clear.

"This is mountain mint," Martin said, pointing to a cluster of small herbal plants. "It is a dual-purpose plant because it attracts pollinators and it will grow to about 3 feet high and fill this space nicely."

"It also smells wonderful," Barton said.

In addition to pollination plants, the meadow also contains host plants that provide insects such as caterpillars a place to seek refuge and feed their young. Also in the mix are young red chokeberry trees, which will provide food to foraging birds. In total, more than 20 native plants, grasses, shrubs and trees were planted by volunteers.

"We wanted a great variety and density," Martin said.

When planting a garden, both Martin and Barton take cues from Mother Nature.

"We study the space where nature does the planning," Martin remarked. "[Plants and insects] learn from each other and support each other."

The meadow will also contain a water trough for conservation activities, large garden containers for children to sow their own seeds, as well as natural stone benches to relax and observe nature.

Lori Dietrich, community relations manager for the library, said a curriculum for the children's meadow is being developed, and she anticipates a flurry of activities to kick off in the spring.

"We will have backpacks for the children to check out," Dietrich said. Each bag will contain items such as flash cards with plant information, binoculars, magnifying glasses for closer inspection of the meadow critters and an interactive workbook for children to take home.

The second phase of the project will include an observation deck with a spotting scope. Barton noted adjoining Overlook Community Park was the first in Lancaster County to be designated a Bird Town USA by the National Audubon Society.

There is also a large congregation of frogs and toads in the marshes. Barton would like to see a hands-on lesson when the amphibians begin to migrate; many of them were run over by vehicles during the last migration season. "We need to get them off the road," Barton said. "People need to know it's OK to pick them up."

Barton said she challenged Martin and another gardener to create a list of classes to teach children about the meadow and the surrounding ecology. "They came up with over 100," Barton said. "There is a myriad of things that can be taught just by going into your own backyard."

The meadow opening is free to the public but registration is required. For more information, visit mtpl.info or call 560-6441.