The shape of this year’s Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield’s Corn Maze is a tie-in to Digger the Marmot, the mascot of the Mordecai Children’s Garden at the DBG’s York Street location. The child-sized garden re-creates a mountain ecosystem for kids, letting them “really get down and dirty” in the process, according to public relations manager Will Jones. Marmots are a part of that ecosystem, says Jones — hence the maze shape. Oh, and in case you ’re not familiar with that animal, Jones characterizes it thus: “It’s like a really big squirrel.
As for the maze itself, he assures us that there’s no going easy on you (though if you experience a Shining-style freakout, there are “corn cops” to help you get out). “The whole point is to get lost,” he says. “I’ve been here for three years, and I’ve never finished it.”
The marmot debuts this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the DBG at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton, and is open through October 31 from 4 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and 12 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission ranges from $4 to $10. For more information, visit www.botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3585.
Fridays, 4-9 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 12-9 p.m. Starts: Sept. 10. Continues through Oct. 31, 2010
