Dear editor, since my 15-month-old son learned to walk this summer, we have visited the Copia Kids Garden almost every week to see the chickens, visit the bunny rabbit, point at the river, touch trickling water from the drips, spin wheels, dig in the dirt, see giant squash and sunflowers and explore the “secret path” of plenty. The garden has become one of my son’s special places, where he runs from one exciting thing to the next pointing and squealing with delight.

I finally went to the Copia front desk to ask who tends the gardens. I want to publicly thank Copia, Melinda Pitcher and her staff for offering such a beautiful garden, free of charge, to Napa families. It is my sense that nature experiences like this one are deeply important to our children’s sense of place — to their knowing that they are a part of the mountains, rivers and fertile ground of this valley. I can’t thank Copia enough for providing this little treasure that brings my son and me so much joy every week.

Lori Stelling

Napa