About
Our Mission The Tatum’s Garden Foundation exists to cultivate accessible, inclusive play.
Our Vision Inspiring communities to foster abundant play for children of every ability.
About us
It all started with a dream. The Bakker Family had taken a trip to visit the grandparents at their cabin in Yellowstone. On the way they had to make an emergency pit stop while driving through Pocatello, Idaho. Little did they know, this unplanned stop would change their lives forever.
They ended up stopping at Brooklyn’s Playground, a fully-accessible playground inspired by Brooklyn Fisher, who like the Bakker’s daughter Tatum, was born with spina bifida. Amanda and Shawn Bakker watched as Tatum was able to play side-by-side with her siblings and others as her spirit shone bright.
Shawn and Amanda knew at that moment that they needed to build an accessible playground in Salinas, CA.
They soon learned about the Community Build model that Brooklyn’s Playground used and the connected with the park designer Leathers & Associates.
After a whirlwind of fundraising and working with the city to secure a location, the Community Build Week started. People from all walks of life came together to build the park from the ground up. The ribbon-cutting grand-opening of Tatum’s Garden took place in 2013.
2023 marks the 10-year anniversary of Tatum’s Garden!
The Tatum’s Garden Foundation
The Tatum’s Garden Foundation is a private nonprofit 501(c)3 that fully manages Tatum’s Garden.
Park upkeep, cleaning, security & equipment replacement is funded through the generous donations from families and businesses throughout our community.
Tatum’s Treehouse
Current park in Carmel Valley
Currently, the Tatum’s Garden Foundation is partnering with the Carmel Valley Community Youth Center (CVCYV) to bring a fully-accessible park to Carmel Valley (right next to the community pool).
