Kansas Children's Discovery Center
Project funded by Lottery dollars.
The Kansas Children's Discovery Center in Topeka
received a $50,000 Attraction Development Grant from the Kansas
Department of Commerce's Travel & Tourism Division. Money for
Attraction Development Grants comes from the state's Economic
Development Initiatives Fund, which is derived from Lottery
proceeds.
Date:Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Contact:Sally Lunsford, 785-296-5708 or sally.lunsford@kslottery.net
At the new Kansas Children's Discovery Center,
children learn the way children do best - by doing, seeing,
touching and experiencing. Whether trying their hand at
changing parts on a miniature car in the "Super Service Center,"
loading a brush with paint in the Art Pavilion, or preparing
"lunch" in a child-sized café, young visitors are free to explore
whatever interests them.
"Here, they are learning on their own, informally. We just
provide the opportunities with exhibits and ever-changing
supporting activities," said Margaret Hennessey-Springe, the
center's director of education.
As children learn about science, careers, art, and financial
literacy, they are doing so in the cheery light of floor-to-ceiling
rainbow-colored glass, one of the most striking features of the
Discovery Center. This beautiful new facility held its grand
opening June 1 after several years of planning and
fundraising. Primarily a privately funded venture, the $7
million Kansas Children's Discovery Center is also a public/private
partnership. It is located in Topeka's Gage Park and
received
a $50,000 Attraction
Development Grant from the state.
"The Attraction Development Grant was instrumental in helping us
install the main infrastructure for the Outdoor Learning
Environment," said Joanne Morrell, the center's executive director.
"This additional 4.5 acres of wooded exploration will make the
Discovery Center a regional attraction, serving children across the
state as they climb, build, dig, hike, trike, discover and explore
the great outdoors!"
The Outdoor Learning Environment is expected to be complete in
2012. Plans call for a tree house, a climbing structure called the
"Kansas Sunflower Climber," a garden maze, a yellow concrete path
reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz's "Yellow Brick Road," a butterfly
garden, an archeological dig area and more.
The Discovery Center serves children 10 years of
age and younger. It is open to the public and is also a popular
destination for field trips and children's parties. To learn more
about the Kansas Children's Discovery Center, call 785-783-8300 or
visit www.kansasdiscovery.org.
As a Kansas Lottery player, you can be proud that
lottery revenue helps support great projects like the Kansas
Children's Discovery Center!