Recently, the Taylor Farms team had the privilege of participating in a remarkable project: the construction of Tatum’s Treehouse in Carmel Valley Village! From November 15th to 17th, our employees rolled up their sleeves during the end of Build Week to help get closer to bringing this fully inclusive and accessible playground to life.
Here’s a look into the incredible story behind Tatum’s Treehouse—and our involvement in helping make it a reality.
The Inspiration Behind Tatum's Garden and Tatum's Treehouse
The journey began in 2013 with Tatum’s Garden, Monterey County’s first fully inclusive and accessible playground located in Salinas. Named after Tatum Bakker, a young girl born with spina bifida, the playground was inspired by her family’s visit to an all-accessible park out of state. Tatum’s parents, Shawn and Amanda Bakker, were moved by how Tatum could fully enjoy the playground alongside her siblings. Determined to bring that same joy to their own community, they established the Tatum’s Garden Foundation with the vision of “inspiring communities to foster abundant play for children of every ability.”
Building on the resounding success and popularity of Tatum’s Garden, the Foundation partnered with the Carmel Valley Community Youth Center to create Tatum’s Treehouse near the community pool in Carmel Valley Village. This new playground aims to expand the gift of accessible, inclusive play to more areas within Monterey County, ensuring that all children have a place to play together, regardless of physical abilities.
Taylor Farms' Ongoing Support and Hands-On Involvement
Taylor Farms has supported the Tatum’s Garden Foundation since its inception, contributing over $200,000 to the original playground over the years. This year, we’re thrilled to extend our support to Tatum’s Treehouse with a $60,000 donation. But our involvement didn’t stop there—our team members showed up in person during Build Week to lend a hand! Despite some rainy weather, our employees worked alongside other volunteers to assemble play structures, install equipment, and did whatever it took to move the project forward.
The camaraderie was incredible! Working side by side with community volunteers, our team felt the shared excitement of building something that will bring joy to so many kids and families. It’s moments like these that remind us why we value community engagement and foundations like Tatum’s Garden so much.
Join Us for the Final Build Weekend!
While we made great progress during Build Week, unexpected rain slowed things down a bit. To keep things on track, Tatum’s Treehouse is hosting another Build Weekend on November 23rd and 24th. Specialized crews have been working during the week, but they still need volunteers to help finish the job. So, if you’re interested, keep an eye on Tatum’s Treehouse social media channels for the sign-up sheet. We’d love to see you there!
With continued community effort and hopefully a bit of luck with the weather, the Bakkers and Tatum’s Garden Foundation team are aiming for a grand opening of Tatum’s Treehouse on December 14th, coinciding with Santa’s arrival in Carmel Valley! While this date is still tentative, the excitement is building as we anticipate the joy this playground will bring to families all throughout Monterey County.
A True Community Effort for More Inclusive Play Areas
Tatum’s Treehouse is more than just a playground—it symbolizes what we can achieve when communities come together with a shared vision. We’re grateful to the Tatum’s Garden Foundation and the Carmel Valley Community Youth Center for spearheading this inspiring project. We look forward to continuing our support for initiatives that promote inclusion, bring joy to families, encourage youth development, and strengthen our community bonds.
Time to get this over the finish line! The Tatum’s Garden Foundation team would love for you to join this amazing cause — whether by volunteering during the upcoming Build Weekend, donating, celebrating the grand opening, or simply spreading the word, every bit helps. Let’s help keep the momentum going and create spaces where every child has the opportunity to play, laugh, and make unforgettable memories!
Learn more about Tatum’s Garden Foundation on their website, and be sure to follow them on Instagram at @tatumsgarden and @tatumstreehouse.