If your New Year's resolution is to eat better, get some exercise or find peace, you can find it in a new way.

"With the expansion, we've added so much for families to enjoy, for kids to come out and be a part of nature,” said Erica Smith, the director of marketing with Bok Tower Gardens.

After 87 years, Bok Tower Gardens is growing in a new direction. The iconic attraction realized a need to offer new activities to children and the famed millennial generation.

"Nature play is very important to us,” explained Erica. “We know if we can instill that love at a young age, that is just going to continue on and we are going to have complete generations of visitors."

Previously, Bok Tower Gardens had a reputation of catering to parents and retirees.  The original southwest side of the property remains unspoiled leading to the singing tower, while the northeast side of the property is home to a new, progressive area.

Here, find a network of playgrounds and stations designed to inspire younger visitors.

The new Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden features the 'River Walk' water play area, where dancing water jets and steam pools resemble Florida limestone outcrops.  Warning: You may get wet.

Under the Songbird Music Tree, there's music to be made, just like the famed carillon.  Several percussion Instruments encourage creating music.

A rock garden with words gives kids of all ages an opportunity to form sentences or leave wishes behind.

Nearby, an artist area the garden allows for the creation of drawings.  When done, works of art are hung for all to see  and blow in the gentle breeze.

For adults and those conscious of where their food comes from, the new produce garden gives examples of what you can grow at home, even in containers.

"You can put marigolds in your salads,” Erica said standing next to flowers planted alongside vegetables.  

"It may be a little bit bitter than what you're used to.  A lot of the flowers and the greens have a little bitterness to them."

She then hands a fresh picked marigold to Scott Fais, who studies the flower and some little insects before tossing it into his mouth.

“That's a little extra seasoning, I believe,” Erica says with a grin.

After chewing the yellow flower, Scott proclaims, “It is a little bitter. Oh yeah, it's a lot bitter."

“It's going to fight off those flu germs for ya,” Erica responds.

The garden is adjacent to a new outdoor kitchen. The sprawling complex is a new outdoor living space, designed for cooking demonstrations using fresh ingredients.

An expansion of the new space featuring more activities for children and their parents are planned.

Hiking trails are also mapped out and provide fresh air, grand visas from the highest point on the Florida peninsula and the chance to see gopher tortoises in their natural environment.

Note: before visiting Bok Tower Gardens, check the schedule to see what programs are planned.

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You can catch new Florida on a Tankful stories with award-winning travel reporter Scott Fais each Thursday through Sunday on News 13 and Bay News 9. New editions play at the end of each hour starting at 6 a.m.