Outdoor climbing structures among children’s museum plans

LINCOLN, Neb. – Custom-designed outdoor climbing structures are among plans for improvements at the Children’s Museum in downtown Lincoln.

A science centre also was included in the plans shared with the Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission earlier this week. The museum sits in the shadow of the Capitol, near Centennial Mall, so officials for the museum and its architectural firm sought the commission’s blessing.

“There’s a number of ways we can accomplish what the museum would like to do, as well as be a very sensitive neighbour to Centennial Mall,” DLR Group architect John Badami said.

The commission unanimously voted its endorsement of the plans, the Lincoln Journal Star reported .

The climbing structures could rise 35 feet (10.7 metres) into the air and would light up at night. They’d be made of bent plywood or rotationally moulded plastic climbing pads suspended on cables from steel pipes and would be located in a former parking area east of the museum.

The designer, Luckey Climbers, says it offers adventures while challenging kids to solve problems and think spatially.

Museum executive director Tara Knuth and DLR’s Badami architect told the commission the climbing structures would comprise a unique draw for the Children’s Museum. In addition, there would be outdoor space in the play area for camps, fundraisers and other activities in and around the climbing structures, Badami said.

Depending on fundraising, the science centre for kids ages 8 to 12 would be built in a former storage area in a lower museum level.

Museum officials intend to begin a fundraising campaign for the project by midsummer.

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Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, http://www.journalstar.com